It will take a huge effort if we are to lick Cats, says McCormack
The High Court yesterday sensationally lifted the ban on Boland playing in the minor decider, leaving the Tipp selectors with a welcome selection headache.
Boland was sent off in a club match, and, although the decision was overturned at county level, a four-week ban was subsequently upheld by GAA president Sean McCague.
However, the High Court has intervened and it now remains to be seen if Boland is included in the starting 15 for the clash with Kilkenny.
According to team coach Paddy McCormack, Tipp are fully focused.
“With young players, it’s difficult to know how they will react on All-Ireland day. Before you know it, the game has passed you by.
“At the beginning of the year, Galway were expected to make it to the final, but they fell to Kilkenny in the semi-final which was something of a surprise.
“We were given a huge fright by Limerick in Munster, which probably stood to us for the rest of the campaign and, while we had only three points to spare over Cork in the final, we were always that bit ahead of them. And Wexford didn’t trouble us in the All-Ireland semi-final.
“Kilkenny in an All-Ireland final are always a very difficult opponent. The closeness of the two counties ensures the rivalry is very keen, no matter what the grade, and we are expecting tomorrow’s clash to be extremely competitive.
“We have the players to do it, but it will require a huge effort from everyone of them if we are to lick the Cats, because they looked very impressive in defeating a highly rated Galway side in their semi-final.
“Galway looked likely winners when they went six points in front, but Kilkenny put in a storming finish to snatch it. And with a huge crowd behind them tomorrow because of their senior involvement, we’ll have to be at our very best and a bit more to win this one.”
Tipp’s Pat Shortt, Willie Ryan and Trevor Ivors have been scoring freely in attack, and the Kilkenny defence could be in for a torrid time if this trio are on song.
Kilkenny never sent out a bad hurling team in any grade and, now that they have disposed of one favourite, there’s every chance they can do the same to another of the fancied teams.
