Tipperary to prove more than a minor obstacle to Kingdom
That’s because for the first time in six years it won’t involve old foes Cork and Kerry. However, without of a doubt, Tipperary are deserving finalists and will be worthy opponents for the Kingdom.
This year’s draw ordained that Kerry and Cork would meet at the semi-final stage provided they won their opening rounds. They duly did and then produced a marvellous semi-final in Páirc Uí Rinn which Kerry won by two points.
Having seen off the Cork challenge, Kerry will be favourites to win what would be their 41st provincial title at this level. Tipperary have won five titles and it will be the seventh meeting between the counties in a final.
Kerry have won four of those meetings, the last in 2002 when they won 3-16 to 2-6. Tipp won two of their five titles against Kerry, 1955 in a replay and 1984, in both instances by a point. The others were against Cork (2) and one against Waterford.
Tipperary defeated Waterford and Limerick to reach the final while Kerry beat Clare and Cork.
Kerry coach John Kennedy has cautioned his side against complacency: “The talk around the county is that it could be an easy one for us, particularly after seeing off the Cork challenge, but I’ve been around long enough to know you can take nothing for granted,” said John.
“We’ll give Tipperary the respect they deserve. Football in their county at U21 and minor levels has come on leaps and bounds, and no team gets anything soft off them.
“For us to win tomorrow we’ll have to play as well as we did against Cork in the semi-final. That was a massive pressure game for us.
“It was a winner-take-all affair, and we enjoyed the rub of the green. Cork had chances late in the game to at least take it to a replay but we defended well and held on for a two point win.
“Munster finals are big occasions and can unnerve players, but most of our lads have been through finals at colleges level and know what is required.
“We went into the Cork game as underdogs. We are going into tomorrow’s game as favourites so the shoe is on the other foot.
The Premier County’s last victory in a Munster minor final was in Killarney against Cork in 1995 when they defeated the Leesiders 2-6 to 0-10.
Tipperary coach Philly Ryan is under no illusion about the enormity of their task, but is adamant they are not going to Cork simply to make up the numbers.
“We are very happy to be where we are and the lads are looking forward to the game tomorrow” he explained yesterday.
“Kerry looked extremely good against Cork in the semi-final and we’ll be hoping they played to their full potential in that game and may think the final is a foregone conclusion.”
Tipperary are given little chance of causing an upset, but they do have a number of potential scoring threats. Conor Sweeney has chalked up 3-3 from two games, while Gavin Ryan has chipped in with 1-1, but they will struggle to match Kerry for skill and pace.
Kerry are blessed with scoring forwards, particularly Barry John Walsh, Barry John Keane and Jamie O’Donoghue. Wayne Guthrie is a very accomplished midfielder while Fionn Fitzgerald and Barry Shanahan are excellent defenders.
However, nothing short of a comfortable victory for Kerry is anticipated.
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