Ken Hogan: Tipp's final 10 minutes against Clare the 'most satisfying' of Liam Cahill tenure

Hogan also explained what he understands is the reason for Rhy Shelly starting in goal for Tipperary ahead of Barry Hogan. 

Clare manager Brian Lohan and Tipperary manager Liam Cahill after their Munster SHC clash. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Ken Hogan believes Tipperary's response to Clare's fightback in Saturday evening's Munster SHC clash was the most pleasing period of Liam Cahill's three seasons in charge of the county's senior hurlers.

Tipperary led by 12 points in the first half and by nine at the break but Clare fought back to level the match with just under 10 minutes to play. At that point, it looked like the Banner had all the momentum.

"Our last 10 minutes is our most satisfying 10 minutes in Liam Cahill's tenure because don't mind the goals in the first half, it looked like a Clare victory," Hogan, a two-time All-Ireland winning goalkeeper with Tipperary, told Dalo's Hurling Show, an Irish Examiner podcast.

"It looked like they were sailing home. But we held out, we made a few substitutions, but at the back, we were really strong. And we stood up when it was counted."

Hogan noted that there was a "huge breeze" in the first half in Ennis, what he felt was an underappreciated factor in Clare's comeback. Tipperary had hit Clare for four first half goals, two for Andrew Ormond and two for John McGrath. 

"That was the mood of the evening," said Hogan.

"Clare have been vulnerable right throughout the league. You were willing Tipperary to go for goals all the time, to get that ball into young Andrew Ormond. He's highly rated in Tipp, has all the underage medals. He's low to the ground, great centre of gravity; probably not the greatest finisher they'd say in Tipp but by God, he got his chances on Saturday evening and buried two goals. 

"That's a huge fillip. They brought in the young guy in Andrew Ormond and the old guy Noel McGrath and both contributed hugely to the victory."

One of the most notable changes to the Tipperary team for the game was the selection of Rhys Shelly between the posts instead of Barry Hogan. Kiladangan man Hogan had started the draw with Limerick and the defeat to Cork. 

"The talk in Tipperary is that the better ballstopper is Rhys Shelly," explained Ken Hogan.

"He faces up the ball, he's a big man and has huge presence. In training, he was going well. In that situation on Saturday night, he hadn't too many opportunities to make those saves. They feel he does put his body on the line. 

"He did advance at an important time on Peter Duggan when he was going to turn with the ball (and shoot). He has that bravery to face up the ball. It was more of that. 

"He was brave with his puckouts as well. He pinged Craig Morgan on a couple of occasions when it barely went over Tony Kelly's hurley. It was an impressive outing for Rhys Shelly."