Hogan never lost belief in charges

KEN Hogan wasn’t one bit surprised by the strength of Limerick’s challenge in Thurles yesterday. It proved that the potential from winning three All-Ireland U21 titles is there, he said.

But, he readily admitted that he couldn’t have anticipated that his own team would struggle so much, that the Tipp management would have to replace players who would normally be “outstanding stalwarts” for their team.

Most telling of all was his comment that a repeat of this form would spell the end of their Munster championship involvement. They won’t have a hope of winning next Saturday’s replay in the Gaelic Grounds (at 6.30pm) if they don’t achieve a significant improvement, he said.

And, from both teams the message was that winning the Munster championship is still very much prized. “There has been a lot of talk about the qualifier and the new system. Today proved nobody was going to let it go easily,” he added.

In terms of the way they were able to challenge the control which Limerick enjoyed up to the three- quarter stage, the Tipperary manager praised the role of substitutes Ger ‘Redser’ O’Grady and former captain Thomas Dunne. Their contributions had been crucial in their comeback.

“We lost a lot of puck-outs and Brian Geary was inspired. As well as catching them with his left hand, he was catching with his right.

“When you are on the back foot in the half-forward line - particularly if you are not winning your own puck-outs - you have a problem. It’s something we have to address big-time. Redser and Tommy Dunne improved our aerial ability. They won some great high ball. Lar Corbett did too. You need players with ability to win the high ball and we were found wanting in the first half.”

His reaction at the final whistle was one of relief, commenting that so many things didn’t work out on for them on the day. But, once Limerick had got the opening decisive goal, they were playing catch-up.

“The lads disputed the penalty, saying he (Donie Ryan) over-carried, but the forward will get the benefit of the doubt.” Five points down, Limerick tails up and the crowd behind them - it was going to be a tough struggle to the finish. But the changes we made freshened it up a bit and Redser got a great goal.

“There was great character in that team. I knew it to the last puck that the lads would do it to the end.”