Rebels look too strong for unbalanced Tipp

TO start with, a bit of recent history. Tipperary were Guinness All-Ireland SHC champions when they lost to Waterford in the 2002 Munster final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

John Allen and the Cork players won’t need reminding about the vagaries of sport when they meet Tipp in tomorrow’s decider at the same venue and about the great tradition between these great rivals.

Cork’s qualification for tomorrow was never certain, though they were better placed meeting Waterford than they were in last year’s final - more so due to the injury to Paul Flynn and Ken McGrath’s long lay-off.

There was nothing probable about Tipperary’s prospects of coming through. Watching them struggle in the early part of their drawn game with Limerick, there wasn’t too much for their supporters to be enthusiastic about. But they have come a long way since, except that their passage was smoothed by the unexpected poorness of Clare’s challenge in the semi-final.

They clashed last season in Fitzgerald Stadium in the second round of the qualifier competition. Tipp made the early running, turning over four points ahead, and were level at the three-quarters stage. But, just as much as an early second-half goal from Timmy McCarthy had been significant, the goal scored seven minutes from the end by Niall McCarthy (who had been taken off in the Munster final) was crucial. Cork won 2-19 to 1-16 and it was the making of the team.

Tipperary field eleven of the players who started that day but on paper they are not as well balanced. Philip Maher’s return is a huge boost and while David Kennedy still has his critics, he has done very well in the centre.

At midfield they lack Cork’s consistency and up front they don’t pose the same threat and look to Eoin Kelly too much for inspiration.

The performance of Micheal Webster against Brian Lohan was a revelation. He’s 27, big, strong and will be eager to add to his reputation, but personally faces a bigger challenge against Diarmuid O’Sullivan than the team does in attempting to topple the All-Ireland champions.

Tipperary selector Jack Bergin, who was captain of the team which lost to Cork in Pairc Uí Chaoimh in the 1985 final, offers an interesting perspective on the venue. “Back then it was hard to go to Cork and expect to win,’’ he says. “I think they have two ‘home’ grounds - Cork and Thurles. We might even be better off playing at a neutral venue!’’

One thing Tipp will have to do, he says, is to counteract Cork’s ‘running’ game. Yet, John Allen admits that his players “over-elaborated” in coming out of defence the last day.

The bottom line is that individuals on the Cork side didn’t play up to form (Ronan Curran was another) and, while Brian Corcoran and Joe Deane continue to perform vital roles, the vulnerability of the Waterford full-back line aided them considerably. It follows then that there needs to be a significant improvement if they are to be sure of winning.

If they manage this, I think Tipperary will not be able to stop them.