Ryan ready for more of same
“You wouldn’t expect anything else of a Munster championship game,” says the former Tipperary star forward. “Cork are as physical as any team I met in my playing days. They had a huge team in late ’80s early ’90s, all over six foot.
“There was always full commitment from both sides and they were great games to play in. If you look at the great Cork players, even of recent times, John Gardiner, Ronan Curran, Eoin Cadogan, Brian Corcoran in his heyday, Ger Cunningham the former goalkeeper — they’re all physically very imposing men. I think Cork always favoured physically strong men in the key positions — physicality is something Cork have no problem with.
“It’s a great sporting rivalry, fiercely competitive.”
Tipperary have already come through one fiery encounter in Munster, the first-round come-from-behind win over Limerick in Thurles a few weeks ago. Ryanadmits that trial is a massive advantage for his charges.
“Absolutely, 100% an advantage and we’re delighted to have it. You know your options, you know what form guys are in, how they react to the big day — I think we’re in a good spot at the moment.”
Against that, however, the weight of history.
“Someone mentioned to me that back in 1966 was the last time a team won a Munster quarter-final, semi-final and final and went on to win the All-Ireland and that speaks for itself!”
Is that a concern then, the number of times the team has to peak to win an All-Ireland? Not in the least, says Ryan. “These guys would love to play every Sunday. Because they put in so much hard work, so much preparation, they’d prefer to play every Sunday.”
Ryan points to the statistic that when Tipperary were beaten by Cork in the Munster championship first round in 2010 and were forced down the back-door route, the extra games didn’t do them any harm as they roared back to win the All-Ireland.
Tipperary and Ryan learned a few things about themselves in that game against Limerick. Most of all theyrediscovered the kind of character they showed in recovering from the defeat in Cork two years ago to then go all the way, character that was shown again a few days later when their U21 team also came from behind to defeat Cork in Munster.
“The U21s were very impressive. They weren’t playing at their best but kept battling to the end.
Seán Curran, a senior panellist, wasn’t having his best day but got two chances at the end and had the courage of his convictions to score two great points.
“’Bubbles’ Dwyer [John, captain] also showed a lot of character. The senior guys showed a lot of character against Limerick as well; when it looked like the game was gone they all knuckled down, never panicked, showed all the experience they’ve gained over the last four or five years. Even as a supporter it was fantastic to see that happen.”
That was against Limerick, however. Would Cork let them back from a seven-point deficit with only 20 minutes to go? Unlikely, says Ryan, and even more unlikely given Cork’s record in Páirc Uí Chaoimh against Tipperary.
“You’d expect Cork would have more potency up front, more threat than Limerick had, any chances that come their way they’d put away a little more clinically than Limerick did. Cork playing in Cork seem to play their best hurling and play with a huge amount of confidence. Tipperary struggle to have that confidence there — we certainly wouldn’t like to give them that kind of lead.”
A game to relish then, Tipp heading for Leeside as Munster champions and with one good win already under their belts, a rejuvenated Cork lying in wait, playing with spirit and dash under the baton of returning manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy.
“I don’t know Jimmy that well personally but everyone knows him by reputation — a superstar, hugely respected not just in Cork but around the country. He seems to have this Cork team ticking over nicely, a happy camp, no doubt he’ll have them firing on all cylinders on the 24th.”
And happiness in the camp is crucial. “I think so, yes. It’s an amateur game, players giving up huge amount of personal time, sacrifices made at work and in studies, and if they’re not enjoying it you’re certainly not going to be getting the best out of them.”
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