5 things we learned from Tipperary beating Limerick
This was an emphatic statement of intent from Tipperary. Having lost to Limerick in 2013 and 2014, they hammered the Shannonsiders by 16 points, a margin of victory that represents Tipp’s biggest Munster championship success against their neighbours since 1962. Nine different players got on the scoresheet and the only forward who didn’t, captain Brendan Maher, worked his socks off and provided the long delivery that led to Seamus Callanan’s killer second goal.
Maher provided an extra body around the middle third for Tipp in a roving role, with his vast energy levels perfectly suited to the job he was asked to do.
Maher’s work allowed Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher to mix industry with a real scoring touch but sublime forward duo Callanan and John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer were a joy to watch.
O’Dwyer knocked over two first half points that were geometry-defying in their execution, both arrowed over from almost impossible angles from the right touchline.
The movement seen in the Tipp attack was exceptionally fluent for this early in the season, as teams with O’Shea involved usually flourish later in the summer.
This was a noble effort from 19-year-old Cian Lynch, even if the Patrickswell dynamo didn’t score. He produced some trademark tricks and flicks and never flinched the hits that went in hard and often on him.
But Tipp stripped the ball from Lynch more than once, particularly in the first half when a posse of two or three defenders converged on the young man who hit the headlines with that imperious display against Clare.
We shouldn’t forget that Lynch is a player fresh out of the minor ranks and while he’s already a physically big specimen, a couple more years of strength and conditioning work will see him fill out even more.
Lynch got no change from Paddy Stapleton before the Tipp corner back went off injured and Michael Cahill picked him up.
Eventually, Lynch was moved to the middle third of the field to provide an extra body and he started the second half well as Limerick came roaring back. But Lynch’s second championship outing was a reminder for all concerned that one swallow doesn’t make a summer.
In the previous seven seasons of Munster championship hurling, just one team had lost a provincial semi-final after winning their opening game (Clare in 2013). But Limerick fell in spectacular fashion yesterday, despite beating Clare in their first outing. Cork managed to Tipperary (2012, 2011 and 2009), Cork (2010 and 2014) and Clare (2008) had all jumped the semi-final fence in recent times after winning their opening round fixture.
It was expected that Limerick would have learned plenty during the Clare game while Tipperary were coming in very much under-cooked and with injury problems to contend with. But a true strength in depth was evident in the Tipp squad on a day when 2014 Young Hurler of the Year Cathal Barrett and Lar Corbett, Hurler of the Year in 2010, were absent from the matchday 26.
Paddy Stapleton succumbed to injury and yet Tipp could call upon a player of Michael Cahill’s calibre from the bench. On his full Munster senior championship debut, Ronan Maher looked very much at home alongside his brother Pádraic. Jason Forde was another playing starting his first full Munster championship encounter and finished with a personal haul of 1-3. All over the pitch, there were reasons to be positive from a Tipp perspective.
It was obvious what TJ Ryan was trying to do. The Limerick boss had seen Seamus Callanan give Richie McCarthy plenty to think about over the past two seasons, without applying the clinical touch. But this was the day when McCarthy suffered big time at the hands of the 2014 Hurler of the Year nominee.
McCarthy was substituted in the second half and seeing such a big pillar fall was an indication that Tipp’s work was done. Limerick attempted to screen McCarthy and prevent one-on-one situations with Callanan but the Blackrock defender was the architect of his own downfall for the lethal full-forward’s second goal.
Brendan Maher’s long delivery was misjudged by McCarthy and when Callanan gained possession in behind, the end result was never in doubt.
With Limerick dropped an extra man into defence, it allowed Tipperary free rein to begin attacks with short puck-outs. Time and time again, Tipp used this tactic to perfection. Darren Gleeson’s deliveries were picked up by defenders and Tipp used the flanks, mainly targeting John O’Dwyer down the right hand side. Whenever Tipp went long, to bypass a strong Limerick half-back line, they made hay too.
It’s understood that the Déise were already sounded out about the possibility well in advance of yesterday and flatly refused. Waterford did agree to play Tipp in the 2009 provincial showpiece at Semple Stadium but that was viewed as very much a one-off during the GAA’s 125 celebrations.
The most likely venue for the July 12 showpiece is Limerick, with Fitzgerald Stadium also mooted. One thing is for sure, after a bumper attendance in excess of 31,000 yesterday, provincial chiefs will bank another bumper payday.
Waterford have enjoyed many big days at Semple Stadium since that epic 2004 Munster final victory over Cork but will feel that conceding home advantage to Tipperary is not an option. A rip-roaring clash is in store next month.
Waterford did get the measure of Tipp in the Allianz League semi-final but their manager Derek McGrath knows that he must marry a scoring touch with defensive solidity, a delicate balancing act in any game plan. Having had a good look at Waterford already, O’Shea will feel confident of breaking them down with his free-scoring forwards in irresistible form.
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