Brendan Cummins praises Tipperary 'bravery' in All-Ireland U20 triumph

Tipperary manager Brendan Cummins. Picture: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Brendan Cummins hailed Tipperary’s bravery after choosing to play against a strong wind in the first half of their All-Ireland U20 final triumph.

The Premier won the toss and backed themselves to go against the breeze, taking a 0-10 to 0-8 half-time lead.

From there, they blasted three second-half goals to run out nine-point victors over Kilkenny at Nowlan Park.

“I was delighted to see them express themselves and show the bravery in the first half that we needed,” said Cummins.

“We knew if we were brave on the ball, especially the way the wind was, opportunity would come in the second half. Thankfully, that's the way it panned out.

“I always like playing against the breeze in the first half. It forces the team to play. You have to move the ball, and you have to be brave right from the start.

Sam O'Farrell of Tipperary hoists the cup into the air. Picture: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

“We backed the lads that they'd be able to do that. Certainly, Halla (Aaron O’Halloran), Podge (O’Dwyer), and (Cathal O’) Reilly, the boys at the back, moved the ball around lovely, and they didn't bring it into contact too much.

“The turnovers and the tackle count was always going to be the key. Hurling is just nearly a game of counter-attack. Teams are so good and so well set up that to take it off them and go the other direction is how you create opportunity.

“The lads got that and, in fairness to them all year, we've been able to do it. Thankfully, we got the rewards again today for it.” Having missed last year’s All-Ireland final defeat against Offaly due to injury, Paddy McCormack made hay in the second half, scoring 2-1.

“He was a bit frustrated at half-time,” said Cummins. “There was no need because he was going really well.

“It was hard. That breeze up there was really strong. At half-time, we just thought the opportunity would come for him and Oisín (O’Donoghue) inside.

Paddy McCormack of Tipperary is tackled by Timmy Kelly, left, and Eoghan Lyng. Picture: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

“Thankfully, when they got it, there's nobody else in the world I'd want coming through like that only Paddy McCormack, and he just did the job. He was brilliant.” Player development remains Cummins' focus, but capturing silverware helps to breed confidence too.

“Winning is fine, but the main thing for me is to try to develop the players and get them ready.

“You could win an All-Ireland and you could end up then not having as many getting through to the senior set up. So the priority is to get them ready to play senior.

“If we win along the way like today, I think that fast-tracks the progress because of confidence, there is no doubt about that.

“So the most satisfying thing for me is the number of players that we're trying to get through to the senior panel to Liam Cahill in the next couple of years. That's the mission.”