Andrew Ormond: 'It fills your legs with energy when you hear the genuine Tipperary supporters'

There had been a disconnect between the Tipperary panel and supporters in recent years. 

Andrew Ormond was man of the match in Tipperary's victory over Waterford. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Andrew Ormond has spoken about how the revived Tipperary support has inspired the team.

Man of the match in Sunday’s Munster SHC Round 4 win over Waterford with three points, Ormond praised the home following among the 28,758 crowd in FBD Semple Stadium for the part they played in the victory that sealed the county’s All-Ireland SHC qualification.

Manager Liam Cahill has been at pains to mend the disconnect between the squad and supporters and the first back-to-back Munster wins since 2019 and becoming the first county to qualify from the province has certainly gone a long way to doing that.

“It just gives you such a big lift,” said JK Brackens man Ormond of the blue and gold backing. “It just fills your legs with more energy when you hear the genuine Tipperary supporters, they’re so good to us.

“They really willed us over the line and we got going there near the end, three, four or five points ahead. Then the goal came and you could hear them every step of the way. It’s just super having them there.” 

Ormond has made his presence felt for Tipperary since he was given a start against Clare in Ennis last Sunday week having come off the bench as first substitute in the heavy defeat to Cork last month.

He is taking a level-headed approach to his recent rise. “I’m old enough and wise enough to know that it mightn’t happen like that every day. I’ve got lucky the last two games. I’ve great lads around me. Darragh [McCarthy] popped a few balls to me, Jason [Forde] as well. Lads are working so hard, we have lads popping balls and lads taking scores.” 

Tipperary’s next game will not be for another three or four weeks and the likes of Oisín O’Donoghue will be putting their hand up for inclusion in the meantime. 

“The subs that came on again, Oisín’s goal, Seánie [Kenneally] getting on ball, Seamus Kennedy, Noel’s point… there was impact from the bench again, a super team effort,” said Ormond.

Meanwhile, Antrim are expected to contest Declan McCloskey’s red card arising from Saturday’s Leinster SHC Round 5 defeat to Galway.

McCloskey was shown a red card in the first half of the game in Salthill after referee Thomas Gleeson’s attention was brought to an off-the-ball incident involving the Antrim defender and Galway’s Tom Monaghan.

Antrim are due to receive notice of Gleeson’s proposed suspension after Croke Park received Gleeson’s report. Fitzgerald was told by McCloskey that he had been punched in the stomach.

Fitzgerald also signalled they intend speaking to national GAA officials about a number of issues. “The other side shows there is one or two things we will be dealing with Croke Park on that's not acceptable.” 

Fitzgerald may yet face sanction for his comments about Murphy, who he claimed despised him and suggested his view of the Antrim manager coloured his decision.