Players now know the level they need to get to - Kelly
By Joe Scully
“They're the All-Ireland champions, they’re the standard we have to get up too, and we have a few weeks to get up to speed before we meet them again,” - the words of Tipperary manager Denis Kelly following his sides eight point defeat at the hands of Cork in the Division 1A of the National Camogie League on Saturday.
Kelly felt his sides first half performance wasn’t good enough and was ultimately what cost them in the end.
“Yeah, disappointed alright,” he continued.
“The wind dictated what way the match went, and we were against it in the first half, and we were in the back foot then for most of the second half as a result. We weren’t happy with our first half performance at all really.”
The Toomevara native also felt the game, albeit a disappointing defeat, will stand to them going forward and shows them where they need to get to for later in the year.
“We have them in our first championship game, and we might see them in the Munster championship, if all goes to plan, so yeah we have work to do to get to the level we need to get to, as was shown today,” Kelly added.
This defeat leaves Tipperary now needing to beat Waterford away in their last group game, but also requiring Galway to lose to Cork if they are to make the final and Kelly is hoping Cork will do them a favour, while knowing his side will have a tough game against Waterford at the same time.
“It will depend on other results,” Kelly added.
“Cork have a 100% record so far and will no doubt be looking to keep that up against Galway.
“We have a tough task ourselves against Waterford, who will be no doubt be looking to beat us in their own backyard, and lots of work to be done during the week to get ready for that game.”
One big worry for Tipp after Saturday's game was an injury sustained early on by corner back Niamh Costigan after taking a blow to the head, and where the Cork player was lucky to not see red.
“It looks like a concussion for Niamh,” Kelly revealed.
“There were a few heavy hits going in there and maybe Cork were lucky not to pick up a red early on, but look it’s what you would except the heavy hits getting close to championship fare, it was a good physical game and should stand us in good stead going forward.”