Liam Sheedy: 'Cork weren't at the level that I expected against Tipperary'

TIPP TOP: Liam Sheedy admits Cork ‘weren’t at the level’ he expected them to be at during their four-point loss to Tipperary. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile.

Liam Sheedy admits Cork ‘weren’t at the level’ he expected them to be at during their four-point loss to Tipperary in their Allianz Hurling League Division one clash on Saturday night.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner’s Dalo Hurling Show podcast, the former Tipp manager was critical of the Rebels’ defensive structure and their inability to supply full-forward Brian Hayes.

“I thought defensively Cork weren’t structured that well and equally, I didn’t think the supply of ball… if I was Brian Hayes like, every ball that went in front of him was nearly 50:50 up in the sky,” said Sheedy.

“Brian Hayes if he gets quality ball in, I think he’s unmarkable because he will just turn and take you on ever time. He just couldn’t because I didn’t think they supplied him with great ball.

“I just don’t know. I don’t know were Cork at the level I expected. Some of the stuff they were at in the first half, they were trying to overelaborate, borderline showboating I thought at times now which, at this time of the year, I think you just have to nail.

“I just didn’t feel Cork were at the level that I would’ve expected for a team that was potentially charging into a league final if they won the other day.

“I left with probably more questions.”

On the other hand, the two-time All-Ireland Senior Hurling winning boss with the Premier County was keen to praise his former side’s performance and their positive start to the campaign.

“Defensively they only conceded 10 points to Cork in the second half and Cork had a nice breeze,” he added.

“I thought when Cork got the four points in a row you would’ve felt Tipp might have been in a bit of bother, they got back level, but Tipp hit 1-3 in reply and that is probably the period where they won the game.

“There was a lot of things that Liam Cahill would be very pleased about. I think the people, it felt like it was 50:50 or maybe even slightly Tipp in the crowd. There was over 11,000 there so it was a good Tipp following for the team.

“He’s now sitting on six points, I think his half-forward line worked incredibly hard and got the better of the Cork half back line, I think that is ultimately where they broke them.

“Gearoid O’Connor clipped three, Alan Tynan clipped one, but he made the goal and was very influential, he was very influential throughout the pitch and Jake (Morris) got a great goal and got a nice point in the second half.

“I thought his work ethic was up to what he is capable of so there will be a lot that will please Liam Cahill coming out of there.

“At the start of the league a lot of people would’ve said ‘God, Tipp going to Galway in the first match they could be in relegation bother.’

“To be sitting on six points, like, you know, win away at Kilkenny and they are probably, potentially in a league final I would say.

“Where he has them with such change and with so many new faces, he will be very, very, very, very pleased.”