KILLINAN END - Opening weekend observations

First hurdle jumped. A good National League had suggested robust progress but all of that was up for grabs in Ennis. Defeat in the first game and suddenly there would be more questions than answers. Some statistics floated around recently in relation to the final progress of teams which lost the first game, and it turned out that it was not quite the inhibitor of progress that is commonly believed. Limerick in 2019 being one example of a team which lost its opening game and subsequently went deep in the championship. Cork, in 2022, lost their first two games and went on to show that there is life after losses though both certainly showed that defeats are suggestive about a team’s potential. Lazarus acts are impressive at the time but do not amount to a viable long-term strategy. Another fun fact is that in the previous three stagings of the round-robin in Munster five teams have won exactly two games – only one of those has failed to qualify in the top three.

Some eyebrows have been raised at the amount Tipp conceded but even teams that win games pulling away tend to concede scores that would have not have been dreamt of in the past. The concession of goals would be more of a concern with the second Clare goal the kind of moment that will have frustrated all defenders involved. Allowing the forward to make the clean catch came largely from indecision but it was costly. Michael Breen looked ready to do a Mick Maher on it and keep the forward out while letting it run to the goalkeeper but suddenly the delivery from Kelly did not have the legs to get to the goalkeeper. Chaos ensued and it was a brilliant finish to give fair credit. The defence also conceded a bad goal against Limerick in the League semi-final from a similar high ball. More work needed there for sure.

Tipp benefitted from a Clare goalkeeper having an unfortunate day but the alertness and sharpness of Jake Morris in taking advantage suggests a player really starting to grow into Senior championship hurling as a top forward. When you consider that Jason Forde did not score from play - though he contributed handsomely of course – yet Tipp kept the scoreboard ticking over with a range of scorers, you would have to say that the general signs were positive. It would be remiss not to acknowledge Sean Ryan’s prowess in front of goal – no second invitation needed there. It is true that Clare wasted the world of chances but not all missed opportunities are the work of careless hands. Astute defending which forces shots from unprofitable situations is often a factor in apparently bad wides.

Certainly, Clare missed no more than Waterford missed in Thurles. For all the praise of the Déise they might look back on this game with regret. Limerick’s feet of clay have rarely been as visible as on this day and they might not get another outing again. The curiosity was that Waterford ran the champions close without setting Semple Stadium alight. They have few guarantees based on this performance. Bear in mind that they are now down Tadhg de Búrca who is fundamental to their set-up, and had the advantage of Limerick down Gearóid Hegarty for a third of the game. It was a golden chance for Waterford, but they were not playing well enough to take advantage. If you ignore that they have lost three of their last four Munster championship games against Cork, they tend to do well against this opponent as the League Final last year and the 2017 All-Ireland semi-final showed. When they cut loose and hurl, they give Cork a lot of problems. They will need to bring all their traditional dash and fervour to Páirc Uí Chaoimh or they could be staring down the barrel of a short summer. Is it possible that Tipp could, in the last round, meet a Waterford team already out?

There will be twists and turns no doubt but speaking of potential short summers, how about Clare playing two important championship games in six days? Lose on Saturday evening in the Gaelic Grounds and they are on thin ice. Yet, you would imagine the performance here is the thing. They have a winnable last two games in Waterford in Thurles before Cork in Ennis. They looked feisty enough last Sunday to suggest more life. Arguably the game of the weekend might turn out to be the least relevant. Kilkenny host Galway is a compelling one-off contest. However, it is inconceivable that this will not be the Leinster Final pairing also with the real interest in Leinster possibly around the third team. Antrim and Dublin’s draw damaged both teams but at the same time neither will be hiding under the bed at the thoughts of Wexford. The meeting of Darren Gleeson and Darragh Egan at Wexford Park might well become the most significant game of the weekend instead as it threatens to upset the usual order of things. Meanwhile, Liam Cahill and his troops can enjoy a well-earned rest.