Humdinger of a game in store between Tipperary and Limerick hurlers

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With the sparring over, the business end of the season beckons. Tipperary’s unbeaten run sees the team’s newfound assurance go under the microscope in the toughest of environments – away to All-Ireland champions Limerick on this Saturday evening.

The trip to Corrigan Park last week proved routine, the game effectively over at an early stage. Some feared it might be a slippery one, as Tipperary named another experimental side and, with pressure off, Antrim might just make things awkward.

They didn’t. The gap was fourteen points at the break, 3-13 to 0-8, Mark Kehoe, Conor Bowe and Pauric Campion hitting the majors. There was no coming back from that and the match just continued on its one-sided way in the second half. Nothing much to elaborate on there.

This Saturday under lights at the Gaelic Grounds will be different, very different. John Kiely’s side easily brushed aside Wexford at the weekend. The only blemish on their group record was a first-day defeat to Cork. Otherwise, they coped comfortably with opponents without really demolishing anyone.

We go to Limerick because the last league semi between the counties was at Semple Stadium back in 2018. It’s an interesting reference point. We eventually got over the line following extra-time, 2-31 to 1-31. It was a game that see-sawed, Tipperary leads invariably followed by Limerick claw-backs.

Interesting too to reflect on the whereabouts of the two counties, then and now. John Kiely was in his second season as manager in 2018, building something that ultimately became great.

The foundation of that construction was evident that night in Semple Stadium. The team was taking shape, a shape that we’ve become fearfully familiar with since then.

Incredibly, thirteen of that Limerick first fifteen from 2018 are still at the heart of their effort and likely to see action on Saturday night. The exceptions are Seamus Hickey, now retired, and Colin Ryan, who has since lost favour. Even the subs they introduced on the March 31 2018 included Graeme Mulcahy, Barry Nash (then a forward) and David Reidy.

Contrast that with Tipperary. Of the team’s starting fifteen, only five are still part of the picture today. The management introduced seven subs that night (including extra-time) and Cathal Barrett alone of the seven is still on the panel. That’s sixteen panellists from five years ago who are now entirely out of the frame.

It’s a remarkable turnover rate, reflecting the different trajectories of the teams in the past five years. Limerick’s star has risen to incredible heights while Tipperary’s has dimmed worryingly, the 2019 success the standout exception.

In a sense Tipperary now find themselves where Limerick were in 2018 - seeking to rebuild - but otherwise the comparison is of limited value. Limerick’s players in 2018 were mostly all of a similar age, whereas Tipperary at the moment have a notable age mix. Time will not be kind to some, so we need rapid development by others.

By 2018 John Kiely had the architecture of his team in place. In that league semi-final you had a half back line of Byrnes, Hannon and Dan Morrissey; a half forward line of Hegarty, Hayes and Tom Morrissey; Lynch was at midfield with Colin Ryan; Gillane and Flanagan were at full forward beside Barry Murphy, who played midfield last Sunday; Finn and English guarded Quaid with Seamus Hickey at number three. Not a lot has changed since.

By contrast, Liam Cahill has no similar set structure. We know on league trend that Maher, O’Mara, Breen and Johnny Ryan will likely be defending, probably in front of Barry Hogan. Eoghan Connolly might be there too or Enda Heffernan but jersey numbers are anyone’s guess. Brian McGrath is still not fit to return.

Conor Stakelum looks set to line up at midfield but his partner is unsure. Maybe Noel McGrath or Dan McCormack or Alan Tynan, all of whom are forward options too. Seamus Kennedy’s role is unclear – he started midfield in 2018 beside Ronan Maher.

“Bonner” Maher will surely head the attack with Jake Morris, Jason Forde and Gearoid O’Connor also likely starters. Conor Bowe is in the mix too, as are Mark Kehoe, John McGrath and maybe Sean Ryan.

But the team doesn’t have the sense of structure that Limerick possess. I know you have to experiment but you also need to chase stability. Players work best when they’re familiar with their (hopefully optimal) position and with an understanding of the players around them. We have yet to reach that point but hopefully Saturday’s selection will be a pointer in that direction.

Limerick will be fancied, given their proven record, but let’s hope our league run will have emboldened the side to have a go. I think it will and expect a ferocious tussle.

Our historic record against the Shannonsiders is strong: played 64, won 35, lost 21 and drew 8. The last ten meetings break down for Tipperary as four wins, three losses and three draws. As always credit here goes to that statistical seer, Seamus O’Doherty. (Disclaimer: errors go his way too!).

Elsewhere, the Tipperary footballers took the dreaded drop back to Division 4 of the league after an emotional fixture with Offaly last Saturday.

Liam Kearns’ untimely passing cast an inevitable shadow. The Kerryman’s influence ran deep in many counties and clubs.
I love that Shane Stapleton podcast clip, which resurfaced during the week in the wake of Liam’s passing. Part of a group interview, he was asked about different or unusual characters he met during his managerial career and told the story about his time with Aherlow.

The story relates to Chris McDonald, brother of Ciaran, who had a stellar career with Tipperary footballers. He described Ciaran as the best corner back he ever had as a manager. Chris, in his words, was a little eccentric and he tells a funny story to illustrate the point.

They were playing a county semi-final and Chris was a bit late arriving. When he came out for the warm-up he went to the wrong end of the field and joined the opposition for the kickabout instead of his own team. Eventually after a few shouts they got him back on side.

Noting that Chris subsequently became an airline pilot, this prompted Liam Kearns to quip that if he’s ever on a plane and he hears that the Aherlow man is in the cockpit, he’s getting off.

Liam Kearns managed Aherlow to their second-ever county senior win in 2010, a victory that was hugely important because it added validation to their breakthrough success of 2006. Their club history, at present in production, details those glory years of a club that rose to amazing prominence with very modest resources.

Liam Kearns’ role is warmly acknowledged in the Glen where his sad passing is mourned. May he rest in peace.