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.