Morris delighted to have the Tipp support back on side

By Niall McIntyre

Jake Morris is glad to have the Tipperary supporters back on side this season, saying they’ve been hugely influential for him and his team-mates ahead of this Sunday’s National Hurling League final against Cork.

Nothing emphasised the disconnect between players and fans like the ‘sea of red’ that took over Thurles last May when the Rebels defeated Tipperary in the Munster championship, ringing alarm bells for everyone involved with the team.

Manager Liam Cahill has referenced the importance of re-discovering that link many times this year with the message seemingly striking a chord. The team have drawn bigger crowds, even in their recent league game against Clare which was effectively a dead rubber, with a reasonable 6,000 making it to Semple Stadium, the majority from Tipp.

Speaking at the launch of the Allianz National Hurling League final, Nenagh Eire Og star Morris says the players felt the lack of support on the pitch last year, though he doesn’t blame people for not turning out, instead saying the team had to take a ‘long hard look in the mirror’ over the performances they were producing.

“I’d be lying to you if I said it didn’t (filter down to us on the pitch,) especially because we were still in the championship that day, with a chance of going through,” said the Tipperary vice-captain.

“It was a sea of red everywhere but look I’m very aware of it. I’m aware of the commitment and the cost of these things.

“And if the connection isn’t there between the team and the supporters, it’s hard to stay going four weeks in a row, putting your hand in your pocket to support the team.

“Tipperary is a great historical hurling county,” adds the 25-year-old.

“Some great men have gone before us in that jersey and we didn’t represent it the way we should have.

“That doesn’t mean you’ve to win All-Irelands every year. It’s just the way you go out and…your effort and application.

“That wasn’t there (last year) so hopefully we never again get branded with some of them things.

“We’ve got great support this year wherever we’ve gone,” he adds.

“People are glad to see a team that can represent them. And there has been a mood shift from last year. Winning games helps and we just have to keep it going in the right direction.”

The loss to Cork knocked Tipp out of the championship last year, leading to the ‘longest winter ever’ for Morris.

He says meeting them again this Saturday will be a great occasion, as well as being ideal preparation for the Munster championship.

“From the start of the year, we really couldn’t wait to get back onto the field to improve and right a few wrongs,” he said.

“We’re nowhere near there yet but slowly and surely, we’re learning and improving.”

An inside forward for most of his career since joining the Tipperary panel in 2018, Morris has played a lot of his hurling in the half forward line this year and he’s been refreshed by the switch.

“I think the way the game has gone, you have to be familiar with all the different roles,” he says.

“And forwards are inter-changing a lot, so for me it’s been more running, but it’s been very enjoyable.”

An injection of youth has been key to Tipperary’s all-round improvement according to Morris, who is full of praise for the likes of Darragh McCarthy and his fellow rookies.

“Knowing Darragh, it’s no surprise (that he’s settled in so well.) He’s a very committed fella, humble and down to earth, and the hurley never leaves his hand,” Morris said.

“But aside from Darragh, the other young lads have been doing equally well. Sam O’Farrell has been magnificent.

“Oisin O’Donoghue played against Kilkenny and Robert Doyle has probably been our player of the league, so they’ve all given us a boost.

“Conor Martin, Aaron O’Halloran are in as well from last year’s U20s, and Joe Ceasar has given us the same. There’s no fear with them, they just love hurling.”

The clamp-down in head high tackles has been the big talking point in the hurling landscape this year, particularly after Tipperary’s win over Kilkenny where three Cats were sent off along with Alan Tynan.

Some of these red cards were deemed harsh but Morris can see where refs are coming from, having suffered both a broken jaw and a broken cheekbone at different stages during his career.

“It’s a tricky one because I’ve been on the end of two bad facial injuries myself. A broken jaw and a cheek bone from two different high tackles.

“So, I’m fully aware something has to be done to clamp down on it.

“There was no malice in them (the tackles that injured him), just mis-timed tackles into the face.

“Your guard can do a good bit of damage to your face if it’s caught in the right way. I’m over them now.

“But it’s a hard-hitting game, you can’t take that side out of it either.”

“I had two six week periods of a liquidised diet and eating smoothies all the time and having to drink your dinner,” he reveals.

“The GPA and county board support you, we’re well looked after as players, but the injuries are not ideal when you’re trying to work and make your career there in your job, and you’re out of action for six weeks. They do have a big impact on players.

“Everyone wants a fast, free-flowing game and referees do as well, as long as it’s in a fair and controlled manner. It’s a tough game, so you have to take the good with the bad on that side of things.”