Sheedy: First-half points provided the platform
Understandably then, there was contrasting reaction afterwards from the respective managers.
Tipperary boss Liam Sheedy lauded his team for the way they went about their business.
He said: “In fairness to the lads they struck some fabulous scores in the first half – 14 points is good clipping. That’s where we set our platform for the victory — we got some nice points, and we had only four wides.
“Coming out for the second half, every time Offaly got a score or two we managed to get one back. With seven or eight minutes to go, we had that cushion built up (they led by 10 points), and then Offaly, after getting a man sent off (sub Kevin Brady for a wild pull), kept plugging and they got a really good goal at the finish.
“Offaly missed some chances in the first half which could have had them a lot closer — they had nine wides in the first half and there was a tricky enough breeze. For us, it’s about getting back into a quarter-final and from that point of view, it’s mission accomplished.”
They’ve come a long way since losing their first-round Munster championship match against Cork, a couple of months ago now and they’re not back yet to the level they reached last season, when they came within a referee’s call of knocking Kilkenny off their perch in the All-Ireland final.
This was another step on the road to redemption, however, though doubtless many of their critics will still be reserving judgment.
“People are entitled to their view,” said the manager of Tipp’s critics. “And in fairness, we take all that on board. These players were very low after the Munster championship, and Wexford and Offaly (the two teams Tipperary met in the qualifiers since the Cork loss) are two good teams, teams you could never underestimate. We’re just delighted to have come through that.”
The momentum is with them now, as they face into Galway next week. So is it advantage Tipperary?
Sheedy countered: “There’s probably for and against. We’ve won our two matches but the other side of it is that they have the edge on freshness. Galway will bring a massive challenge to us next week. I’m sure they were very disappointed with their performance in the Leinster final — that wasn’t the real Galway. For us, we know we have to play at a very high level to give us a chance.”
Down the corridor, Joe Dooley was feeling the pain of defeat, but still, it was glass half-full for Offaly.
“I felt we didn’t play to the same standard as we did against Galway on the two days. Fair play to Tipperary, they’re a very, very good team. Someone said in there that they had seven or eight fellas that played in last year’s All-Ireland final on their bench today, so that’s a signal of how strong they are.
“But overall I’m still very, very proud of the team and the way they performed. You couldn’t say a wrong word against them. We’re in a much, much different position than we were in last year. We’re setting standards higher for ourselves and that’s the way it has to be.”
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