Hayes on top of Tipp task

Michael Moynihan

"The important thing for us was to go out of the pool series on the back of a win, and that is why it was a big boost to win in Limerick on Saturday night," said Hayes.

"We knew we were not going to get an easy draw in the quarter-finals and there is very little between Wexford or Tipperary.

"I was pleased with the way we worked for the win over Limerick but we know we have to improve in several areas. But that is something we can build on."

Selector Gerry Dempsey admits there has been little between Galway and Tipperary in recent seasons.

"Tipperary eventually edged out Limerick and then improved in the second-half against Cork. We have also beaten Limerick narrowly so that would suggest there is little between the sides.

"But in recent years, Tipperary have enjoyed the better results against us. They beat us by a point in the qualifiers two years ago, as well as in the 2001 final. They are a good side but Saturday's win over Limerick will have brought us on, so it should be a good clash.

"You are not going to get an easy match at this stage of the competition so we will just turn all our attention to this clash and hopefully move on from there," said Dempsey.

Meanwhile, Limerick board secretary James Hartigan believes the omens are good for his team.

"Our hurlers are playing Kilkenny in the All-Ireland qualifiers on July 31 it is 31 years since we last met them in the championship and though the Cats will be overwhelming favourites, I have a hunch that the bad luck which has haunted us over the years just has to change."

Hartigan says Limerick had grown accustomed to a string of narrow defeats.

"Take this season alone. We should have beaten Tipperary in both our Munster championship matches, but lost, and it was the same story against Galway last Saturday. We had eight wides from frees at the weekend, three each from Pat Kirby and TJ Ryan, and two long range efforts from Peter Lawlor. It just cannot go on forever and who knows, everything might slot into place at Croke Park." He said little had gone right for the county since they lost the 1974 All-Ireland final to Kilkenny, having beaten them the previous season to collect their first title in 33 years.

"In the interim we were beaten by Galway, Wexford and Offaly on All-Ireland final days. We have been to Croke Park on three occasions in All-Ireland club finals, and lost the lot. Our senior footballers went under to Westmeath in the Division 2 NFL final a couple of years back. We have run out of excuses. We have to develop that winning habit."

All connected with the current team, he added, believed they had made progress "but we need to get the scalp of a major hurling power if we are to gain in confidence". Hesaid they had matched Tipperary and Galway in most facets of play this season, but were never able to pull away on the scoreboard when it mattered.

"We get so far in big games but then seem to stall some might say that is because of lack of experience. I believe it is down to lack of confidence, the type that comes with a winning streak."