Cahill laments lack of 'fight and spirit' as Tipp contend with 15-point surrender to Treaty

HARD WATCH: Liam Cahill Tipperary Manager reacts to a missed chance during the National Hurling League Division 1A clash with Limerick. Pic: INPHO/James Lawlor

Lacking in spirit, fight, and aggression was the verdict of disappointed Tipperary manager Liam Cahill.

Having watched his charges fall on home soil to an utterly comprehensive 15-point beating, the Premier boss sifted through the wreckage in an attempt to find cause for his side’s woefully meek offering.

Asked to put his finger on the complete lack of spark from the hosts, “I can’t really,” was Cahill’s reply.

The 0-36 to 0-21 scoreline represented Tipp’s heaviest defeat since the 15-point hammering away to Cork in last year’s Munster round-robin.

“When any of these big teams come to town, you have to be out of the traps early. They got something like nine scores in-a-row at the start and we were chasing the game all the way from then on,” he began.

“Our preparation has gone really well. We trained well during the week. Disappointed with our fight and spirit, which is always disappointing to say. We just really got outfought all through the first half, and we just never seemed to be able to get a foothold, really, or a flow on the game. Only one stage in the first half where we got two scores in-a-row.

“Having said that, we did create a couple of goal chances and on a night when you are not really at it, them goal chances don’t go in. Granted, there was a great save for one, but one hit the crossbar, and then we missed a penalty. All those things add to the tone of the evening when you are not out of the blocks early and not competing aggressively, and we failed to do that.” To his conquerors, Cahill’s remark was telling.

“Thoughts of them gone away, they are from it.” Meanwhile, Limerick manager John Kiely hailed the energy of Kyle Hayes on his return to competitive action after five months away.

Operating from the off in his familiar left half-back role represented Hayes’ first competitive involvement since sustaining a serious neck injury while on club duty for Kildimo-Pallaskenry in mid-August of last year.

Indeed, such was Hayes’ dominance in his pocket of Thurles that his opposite number, Sam O’Farrell, was the first Tipp player to be called ashore on the half hour. Not bad for a player who, according to his manager, is still working “his engine up to spec”.

“He had a serious injury. It took a lot of time to make sure that he was 100%. For himself, his energy has been great and his approach to it, he's been very patient with it. I thought the last few weeks in training, he's really pushed on and he was ready for tonight,” said Kiely.

“Listen, it's something he can build on. It was never about going out there to blow it away. He knew himself he was going to have to work his way into the game and work his way through the next couple of games just to get that match sharpness and engine up to spec. So for him, it's a positive. We'll build on it hopefully in the next week.” While labelling their hosts as “a bit off”, the Treaty boss declared himself pleased with an opening 15 minutes where Limerick “set the tone” for what proved a most one-sided encounter.

A 14th-minute Darragh O’Donovan delivery into a three-to-one outnumbered Aaron Gillane finished with a Limerick white flag and an extension of their early advantage to eight points, 0-9 to 0-1. Gillane was the sixth name on an already busy scoresheet. That scoresheet finished with 12 names.

“I think that's reflective of the way we use the ball. We were very efficient in our use of the ball, but there were lots of support runners as well. We were always there for each other in the first 15-20 minutes in particular,” Kiely continued.

“We got into it from the very start. Good energy levels. Accurate with use of the ball and we tried to attack the ball wherever we could. I think we got it right for much of that first 15 minutes and set a good tone for ourselves for the rest of the game.

“In fairness to Tipperary, they brought a really strong start to the second-half. They got three scores on the trot. There was a bit of energy and momentum coming into their play. I thought the way we were calm, composed, and worked our way into the game in the following 10 minutes was something I'd be really happy with.

“We've been here so many times before; it is a tough place to come and get a result. I know Tipp were probably not where they would have liked themselves to be tonight, they were a bit off it, but ultimately all we can do is look after ourselves and our opening 15 minutes was very strong and set the tone for us.”