Kelly hoped for more as standard not met despite winning

By Michael Dundon

Despite recording a third successive win in the All-Ireland championship, Tipperary manager Denis Kelly had reservations about his side’s performance after they had seen off the challenge of Antrim at The Ragg on Saturday.

A fourteen point win is nothing to be sneezed at but with scoring difference a possibility when determining group positions at the end of the round-robin series, the former Toomevara star was hoping for more.

“Job done, but I am disappointed with the scoreline,” Kelly admitted.

“Our standard today was not up to what we have been playing and I was hoping we would run up a higher score but its back to training during the week and we will have to work on a few things.”

The other positive for the manager was the performances of those called into the team as he rested players after the long journey to Derry the previous week.

“We wanted to have a look at our subs and some of them (no names mentioned) really put their hands up today. That’s great to see and it strengthens our hand going forward”, Kelly added.

Overall, the Toomevara native is pleased with how his side is shaping after annexing league honours for the first time in twenty years a few weeks back.

“I am quite happy with where we are at but of course there is room for improvement,” he continued.

“Our next game is away to Limerick. There is room for improvement on today’s showing so there is work to be done in the coming weeks.

“Limerick’s results have not been great so we will be hoping to come out on top there and that will gear us up for the clash with Kilkenny in the last round,” with Tipp having home venue for that game.

Another positive from the win over Antrim is that the players appeared to have come through without anybody picking up an injury. Cait Devane has returned to the side after missing the league due to her wedding and now has a few games behind her. “You need all your players to compete at the highest level. Hopefully we will not lose anyone in the coming weeks but so far so good”, Kelly added.

Without an All-Ireland success since 2004, Tipp have emerged from the pack chasing Cork, Galway, and Kilkenny to be genuine contenders for the ultimate prize but there is a lot of camogie to be played before that title is decided. League and provincial successes have bolstered Tipp confidence and the county is now poised for the big push.