Clean sheet gives Tipp defenders shot of positivity

Paddy Stapleton has no problem in calling Tipperary’s last day out "tame", but it provided him and his defenders with something they had only enjoyed once before this year — a clean sheet.

The other one also came against Dublin in the league. For a defence that shipped 20 goals in eight league games and seven in their three championship games, there was sweet relief.

“It was a big thing,” admits Stapleton. “When you have been conceding a few goals it is nice when you do shut up shop, it gives you confidence and positivity.

“It was as a unit, there was no stand-out performance, especially from the full-back line. No one went to town, coming out with balls. It was down to communication and lads trusting each other, really wanting to keep that clean sheet, no matter what the score was. That’s our job every day and we have to be a little bit more consistent.

“I was more concerned than anyone in the back line because we were conceding so many goals. Looking back on the [Galway] game, nice balls were floated in and they had a great attacker on the edge of the square who was able to catch the ball; that’s how a lot of the goals were scored.”

With Paul Curran out injured, Conor O’Mahony struggling with a back injury and Michael Cahill sidelined for the Dublin game, Stapleton has become acquainted himself with new colleagues this summer.

There’s James Barry, who played full-back three weeks ago. “He went in there against Cork in the league and was excellent. He is strong, good in the air, can stop a man as well and has a good brain.

“To go in full-back would be the same as someone going out from the full-back line to the half-back line, they have to know their job out there as well. He knows his stuff.”

And there’s Cathal Barrett.

“Cathal is a very exciting player. He has massive pace, a great touch, a lovely hurler. In his first year he has shown a lot of confidence.”

Behind them, there’s Darren Gleeson who has had the onerous duty of replacing Brendan Cummins. With results not having gone Tipperary’s way, he is a natural target for criticism.

“Darren has made no errors this year in championship hurling. I have all the confidence in the world in him. I’ve been training with him six years at this stage and I know his game inside out and I feel fully assured when he is behind me. If he keeps pucking the ball out the way he is and commands the ball in the air the way he does but doesn’t have to make a save, good and well.

“If you look at his puck-outs he has a great range as well. Maybe it will take people time to get used to him, having a different figure in the goal.”

Cork took Tipperary for four goals in the league quarter-final even though they went down. Their threat in front of the net this year is much more real than last year, when up to the All-Ireland final it was a concern.

“They have been excellent, really, really good,” says Stapleton. “You don’t have to talk them up or down, it has been there for us all to see on television when we were watching. They’re full of skill and life, well able to read the game and get out to the ball first.

“We have a tough job on our hands but that’s what we are there for. We have to try and curb quality players and impose our game. I have played against them a good few times in colleges and played with a few of them so they know us and we know them. It will be no different to any other battle that we have with them.”