Sheedy admits beating Cork on their own patch very special

TIPPERARY coach Liam Sheedy was at pains to point out that his side have won nothing yet after knocking Cork out of the Munster championship at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday.

However, his reaction at the final whistle indicated the Portroe man knew he had managed to pull off something special.

“When you beat Cork in the Munster championship on their own patch — and that hasn’t been too often for Tipperary teams — it’s something special, and I have to say I’m thrilled to have achieved that,” he said.

“I’m very pleased at the way we finished the game. It was an exceptionally strong finish as the game was in the balance for long periods. Once we got the lead late in the game we kicked on and got some magnificent points to win it, but I’ve said it all along, if we beat Cork, it’s only a game, we’ll have nothing won and nothing to show for it.

“We had a couple of very tight games in the National League and they obviously stood to us out there today. I felt that if we could keep the game tight going into the last quarter our fitness would be a factor and so it proved.

“It certainly wasn’t looking that way midway through the first half when Cork scorched into a seven-point lead and we looked completely at sea.

“We looked a bit nervy in the opening quarter which surprised me. No matter how well a team does in the league, championship hurling is an entirely different affair and it took us a while to settle.

“Cork played with only two in their full forward line, but the selectors have great confidence in the team and once we reverted to man marking, we got back into the game.

“Eoin Kelly’s goal was just the tonic we needed to lift the spirits, and to go in at half time just a point down after we had been seven in arrears, was pleasing.

“It was a great performance by the players and everyone associated with the team. We used 20 players out there today and it’s a 20-man game now.

“We know our players inside out and knew whoever would come on, would make a contribution. Michael Webster used his height to great advantage and won a vital free for us late in the game.

“Pat Kerwick was another who did an excellent job when introduced. Seamus Callinan, playing in his first Munster championship, did very well for us also and scored some lovely points.

“Today’s win means we have kept our unbeaten record this year going. Winning becomes a habit and it’s a nice one to have. We are now in the Munster final and we can look forward to that.

“We’ll take great satisfaction from today’s win here in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, but it’s back training now on Tuesday night to get ready for the final.

“Cork gave us one hell of a battle and I would expect to see them in at the business end of the championship later in the year. They are not a spent force by any means”.