It’s the little things, isn’t it? The finer details. The small print.
by Oliver Skehan.
As Tipperary took to Tom Semple’s field on the first Sunday in June I noticed that a mishmash of shorts were the order of the day. Why?
As the game progressed socks replaced shorts in my thoughts, with Tipperary’s alarming inability to pull them up a source of huge frustration. Why?
Shorts and socks may not present themselves front and centre when you’re considering the ability of a team to compete, really compete, in the hurling championship but when it comes to Tipperary they mirror problems that have emerged and infiltrated the set-up since the Premier County put the brakes on Kilkenny’s drive for five.
Back then Tipperary hurlers displayed all the characteristics of potential granny killers but no more. So what’s gone wrong?
In Tipperary’s last three championship outings they’ve shown nothing to suggest a repeat of their exploits in 2010 was on the cards. Last year’s provincial defeat to Limerick came as something of a shock but without passion you’re at nothing in Munster. Nothing.
The subsequent loss to arch rivals Kilkenny in a jammed Nowlan Park brought an abrupt end to the county’s interest in the championship – a championship that breathed new life back into the age old game didn’t involve Tipperary in any meaningful way. Disappointing.
Further disappointment followed just a few weeks ago when Tipperary succumbed to the provincial champions on home soil. Ravenous provincial champions. Just as provincial champions should be.
Succumbed in a manner that saw many, many loyal Tipperary supporters heading home with heavy hearts and well scratched heads.
To look at Tipperary that day you’d swear they were winning Munster titles every year and had a path from the Croke Park sod to the Hogan Stand well worn. Neither are true. More’s the pity.
So what’s to be done? If Kilkenny falter against Galway next time out and end up making the trip to Tipp, another epic clash is on the cards in Semple Stadium. However, on the evidence of last Sunday’s events in Tullamore, both the Cats and Galway would advance against Eamon O’Shea’s troops. Actually troops is the wrong word. Team will do and that’s clutching at straws.
O’Shea needs to stand up and make the big calls now. Let’s go from back to front. The loss of Brendan Cummins between the Tipperary sticks has been sorely felt.
His exploits in the goal urged Tipperary on to great things on more than one occasion and his replacement Darren Gleeson is no frills at best. Cathal Barrett and Mickey Cahill are as tough as it gets but Padraic Maher is too loose at full-back and should be deployed elsewhere, if possible.
Brendan Maher stormed into the league final against Kilkenny, set the tone for Tipperary’s performance and looked every bit the leader of the pack. His two half-back partners are going well but more is needed, particularly from Conor O’Mahony.
Midfield is a problem for Tipperary – James Woodlock could never be faulted for his heart but producing no end product, particularly close to goal, is not good enough.
Shane McGrath buckled when asked to take on the role now filled by Borrisoleigh’s Maher but despite there not being much of him he has plenty of drive while Kieran Bergin looks to have what it takes and could yet be an integral part of Tipperary’s renaissance.
Noel McGrath needs to be left on the line. End of. A hurler of undoubted ability but one that is living off past glories at this stage. ‘Bonner’ Maher is the one ray of light but he can’t be asked to carry the can continually. Others have to step up to the plate. Others like John O’Dwyer, Niall O’Meara and Seamus Callanan. The latter is a potential match winner when on song but he needs to be on song every day for his side to be involved at the business end.
Gearoid Ryan put his hand up against Limerick and will be asked to do likewise next time out and hopefully into the future. If he doesn’t there are slim pickings on the Tipperary bench with Larry (as we call him in Thurles) surely not capable of turning Tipperary’s season around.
So to sum up…
Wearing the same shorts as your teammate would indicate a united front. Once the shorts issue is resolved the socks need to be pulled up, if only metaphorically. After that the steel that once epitomised Tipperary teams needs to return. And return in spades.
They say hunger is a great sauce and if Tipperary aren’t salivating at this stage all hope is gone.
This piece first appeared on the GAA blog An Spota Dubh >
