BEFORE TIPPERARY’S MEETING with Kerry in last June’s Munster semi-final in Thurles, there was a huge wave of optimism before the game surrounding the aspirations of the hosts.
The sense was that underage Tipperary promise was set to morph into a feat at senior level.
Tipperary pounced for a goal through Michael Quinlivan in the opening minutes and were only 2-6 to 2-4 adrift at half-time. Yet by the final whistle Tipperary had slipped six points behind, were heading to the qualifiers and that big Munster breakthrough was still out of their reach.
But a year on, Tipperary will renew acquaintances with Kerry after smashing through the Munster football ceiling. They took the scalp of Cork last month and are now bound for a Killarney final next Sunday.
Their achievement is embellished all the more when you consider there are 1o players from that clash with Kerry last June who are now not involved.
An AFL career, the lure of hurling, the attraction of a Stateside summer retirement, injury problems and work commitments have drained the Tipperary squad.
Absentees – Tipperary v Kerry – June 2015
Starting Side
- Paddy Codd: right corner-back
- Seamus Kennedy: right half-back
- Steven O’Brien: midfield
- Colin O’Riordan: right half-forward
- Ger Mulhaire: left half-forward
Subs
- Jason Lonergan
- Barry Grogan
- Liam Casey
- Brian Mulvihill
- Andrew Morrissey
Yet there is an explanation for their rise in the eyes of Kerry boss Eamonn Fitzmaurice, the man tasked with stopping them in Fitzgerald Stadium.
“To me, the team that played against Cork anyway looked very unified, there seemed to be a serious spirit in the group and sometimes when you lose a few big names, the sum of the parts becomes more important rather than relying on one or two big names.
“And the thing about when you’ve one or two big names, if you quieten those one or two big names, maybe the other fellas aren’t used to having to do a bit more.
“Whereas this year I think that Tipperary to me looking at it from the outside, they look to be very close knit, to have a serious spirit, they’re obviously well coached, (and) they’ve good players.
“Some young players have been forced into action sooner than they would have been if the other players were around. Kevin O’Halloran was outstanding the last day, he was a fella that was really good for Tipperary both in general play and with a couple of excellent frees.
“So I think they’re actually better this year and that’s not just me saying it because I’m sitting here and we’re playing them in a Munster final.”
O’Halloran is a newcomer into the Tipperary starting senior side this year for the rematch with Kerry. He was joined for the Cork game by Colm O’Shaughnessy, Bill Maher, Jimmy Feehan and Josh Keane – all All-Ireland U21 finalists against Tyrone in May 2015.
They have plenty other assets in Fitzmaurice’s view.
“You’ve (Michael) Quinlivan, Brian Fox – who was outstanding the last day – George Hannigan, you’ve (Peter) Acheson, you’ve Conor Sweeney, you’ve (Ciaran) McDonald at the back.
“Their goalkeeper Evan Comerford is a good goalkeeper, he’s a good kickout, he can vary his kickout. They’ve a lot of those plus they’ve added the likes of Kevin O’Halloran and a couple of other good young players.
“They’re playing to a very set system. They’re going to be a tough nut for us to crack. We know that there’s nothing guaranteed in sport. I mean even if you look at other codes, just in the recent past, you had either Ireland beating South Africa in South Africa.
“Even Ireland’s result against Italy, it was a very positive performance and the minute Seamus Coleman put in the tackle they set the tone. They were going at the Italians. Mayo losing to Galway is another example that if you’re not at it, a team that’s perceived by the outside world to be weaker than you can beat you.”
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