DEFEAT VISITED THE Tipperary hurling camp for the second successive year in a Munster semi-final yesterday.
But manager Eamon O’Shea defiantly proclaimed afterwards that they will have a say in this summer’s hurling championship as they head towards the qualifiers.
“I believe that we have something in the dressing room and I believe we’ll show it before the end of the season. I thought it was a much better performance than last year in terms of trying to do the things we wanted to do.
“It didn’t feel like that coming up to the game that we were under pressure. The lads were pretty relaxed – we knew the challenge was coming. We didn’t go into it with our eyes shut like last year.
“The Munster champions beat us so although we lost, I’m not unbowed. We have a very disappointed dressing room, naturally. I don’t have any excuses either. I’m very disappointed and in another sense, there’s something beginning here.
“I know that sounds odd to say but there is something beginning here. I think we’ll eventually get over the line. There’s not a feeling in the dressing room that it’s season ended. There’s definitely fight in us.”
Tipperary clung to a three-point lead with three minutes left but saw it evaporate as Limerick strung together 1-2 without reply at the death.
In last month’s league final, Tipperary were pipped after extra-time in the league decider against Kilkenny and O’Shea admitted they will have to again mull over why they are not prevailing in tight encounters.
“We have a difficulty finding the finishing line to be honest with you. I don’t think we hurled that well at various stages in the match and I thought we were kind of chasing our form.
“I honestly feel that they gave absolutely everything and just in there thinking, how do we get over the line in a game? That’s the challenge for me but we’re up for it, although we’re disappointed.
“There is no point saying to me it’s not serious. As the manager I am looking and saying what can we do to finish a game out where we are there or thereabouts.
“There is nothing I can tell you that makes sense. We got in some subs near the end to try and freshen it up, some worked, some didn’t. We are very close to finishing it out, but very close doesn’t mean anything in sport.”
O’Shea revealed that a chest infection was the cause of James Woodlock’s late withdrawal from the team as Shane McGrath was parachuted in to start. He also saluted the Tipperary supporters.
“It was very disappointing for the players today and the supporters who came for us. I really feel for them because it’s a big championship day. They are the ones I feel most for to be honest with you. We don’t feel sorry for ourselves.”
