Tipperary aim to show learnings against Kilkenny

By Joe Scully

Tipperary senior camogie manager Denis Kelly felt his side were unfortunate not to get the full two points against Dublin in the opening round of the National Camogie League on Saturday.

“Yeah, look it was a tough game, conditions weren’t ideal, and we came out the wrong side of a few decisions which were tough to take, but we move on with a point on the board, but we definitely won’t be happy with the way we played,” he began.

“We will have to go back and have a good look at the game because we couldn’t be happy with our play today, but it’s the first game of the season and we have loads of room for improvement”.

One plus for the reigning league champions was the introduction to the side of members of last year’s All-Ireland winning minor and junior sides in Sarah Corcoran and Amy Quinlisk which Kelly was happy with.

“It was good for them to get game time to learn from a game like today, and in fairness there is loads to learn from today, and we pick it up again for next week,” Kelly added.

“Look, we missed a few frees too and have a few tiny bits to tidy up. In fairness to Dubin, they are a good side and will cause lots of problems for other sides going forward.”

Tipperary will get a chance to put some of the learnings into place next Saturday when they welcome Kilkenny to The Ragg in round 2, the cats having lost narrowly at home to Galway in their first game.

Already, it would appear a must-win game for both with just the top two teams progressing to the league final in April, and the Toomevara native knows it will be tough for his side who have an element of rebuilding with Mary Ryan, Cait Devane, Tess Ryan, and Nicole Walsh all having retired while Eimear McGrath will miss the entire campaign through injury.

“This year we are down a few bodies starting off, so it’s going to be a tough league campaign for the first few games,” admitted Kelly.

“But, as I said we have a point on the board after today, and we need a win next week if we’re going to progress, but we feel we can win the game if we sharpen up our game just that small bit.”

When asked about his side perhaps taking the wrong option at times during the game, Kelly felt that that part of the game will come with more games under the belt.

“All these things will come after a few more games, you can play all the challenge games you like, but you have to get a competitive game and league games under your belt to see where you really are, and we will have even more of an idea after Kilkenny next week”.

TIPPERARY v KILKENNY

Camogie Grounds, The Ragg

Saturday, 1st March

Throw-in @ 2.00pm

Referee: Justin Heffernan (Wexford)