Kelly: No fear keeps Munster top
It had been expected the Leinster campaign could eclipse Munster this year but after two enthralling semi-finals in Thurles and Limerick, those suggestions appear to have been proven wrong.
“The Waterford-Limerick game got everyone excited and went down to the wire,” said Kelly. “People were wondering about Limerick coming into it but any team under Donal O’Grady was going to be prepared.
“Lads know each other so well in the Munster championship.
“Teams are not afraid to play against each other. Nobody fears Tipp in Munster.
“I’m only talking about the Munster championship. I’m sure Clare came down believing they could beat Tipp no more than we went to Limerick believing we could beat Clare.
“Waterford will have that belief coming to Cork because if you look back at the last 10 years Waterford have four Munster titles, Tipp have three and Cork have three. Waterford are well experienced in Munster finals.”
Meanwhile, Tipperary manager Declan Ryan has shaken up his panel ahead of the Munster SHC final against Waterford on July 10, with four players let go, including dual player Sean Carey.
Moyle Rovers clubman Carey was due to return to training with the senior footballers last night.
The 22-year-old could now feature against Laois in next Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC qualifier in Portlaoise.
Nenagh Éire Óg’s Michael Heffernan, a member of Liam Sheedy’s 2010 All-Ireland-winning squad, has also been axed by Ryan.
Loughmore-Castleiney defender Eddie Connolly, who made his Tipperary senior debut against Offaly in March of this year, has also been let go, along with Lee Mackey of Carrick Davins.
There is a recall for Thomas Stapleton, centre-back on Tipperary’s 2006 All-Ireland minor-winning team.
Still only 23, Stapleton made three senior championship appearances in 2007 but has not featured since, despite fleeting Allianz League outings during Liam Sheedy’s tenure.
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