Ryan hopes shock defeat will prove to be a learning moment

By Michael Dundon

Tipperary senior football manager Philly Ryan was disappointed but not despondent after seeing his charges “sucker-punched” by London in round four of the Allianz National Football League at FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday, the visitors’ late two-pointer ending Tipp’s unbeaten run and denting their promotion prospects.

“Of course, we are disappointed to lose,” he began.

“We put ourselves in a position to take the points, but we had some turnovers late on that cost us.

“London were possibly better than us in some aspects. We did not turn up in some areas and that is disappointing. We had chances near the end but did not take them. They took their chance at the finish, and we can have no complaint.”

He added: “We knew they had a high level of athleticism, and we did not get to grips with it, but look, we had three more new players getting experience at this level today.

“This is a work in progress, and it is going to take a while. We are not going to drop our heads because of this result.

“We will be back in training during the week and looking ahead to the Limerick game.”

In that regard the manager offered an insight: “We will be reviewing this game during the week. We have been winning games up to now but now we have to deal with losing. We will deal with that this week, and we will be ready for Limerick at the weekend.”

The manager had no qualms about playing in Semple Stadium, the best pitch in the country.

“Opponents love coming here but we like playing here too and are happy to do so at any time. We will be meeting Waterford in the championship here later on”, he added.

Asked about the impact of the defeat on Tipp’s promotion prospects, the former Tipp goalkeeper said: “There was always going to be swings and round-abouts in this campaign. We are not going to be downbeat because of this loss. We are still in the frame for promotion.

Next up is Limerick and Philly Ryan is hoping that captain Steven O’Brien, sidelined with a quad injury for the London game, may be in a position to play some part.

“Steven will be in a race against time to be ready, but we are hopeful we will be able to call on him. We have been unlucky with injuries and really, we just do not have the strength in depth to cope with losses like Steven’s”, he added.

LIMERICK v TIPPERARY

Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale

Saturday, 1st March

Throw-in @ 6.30pm

Referee: Andrew Smith (Meath)