Lillis wants new Tipp heroes to emerge
TIPPERARY v LIMERICK
Semple Stadium, Thurles
Saturday 3rd August
Throw-in @ 5.30pm (E.T.)
Referee: Ray Kelly (Kildare)
Interim Tipperary senior camogie manager Niamh Lillis has said it is time for new players in the county to make their own history, starting by progressing to an All Ireland semi-final this Saturday evening.
Lillis, then Niamh Harkin, who won five All Ireland medals during Tipperary's golden era between 1999 and 2004 feels a return to the top table is long overdue and the current generation of players need to use that hunger to fuel them to get up to the levels set by Cork, Kilkenny and Galway at the moment.
“They are the top three for a reason, they are super outfits but we are knocking on the door over the last two years and we are hoping to progress onto a semi-final and a final,” she began.
“There is always that element of pressure. That brings with it the will to win as well which is hugely important but there has to be a hunger here too in Tipperary as we haven't been in an All Ireland final since 2006. The glory days of Tipperary are long in the past, it's twenty years this year since Tipperary won their first senior All Ireland so it's time to push on.”
Tipperary have been going in the right direction over the last two years, reaching a quarter final in 2017 and then a semi-final last year, built on solid underage structures within the county
“At minor level this year, Tipperary were unlucky not to win an All Ireland,” she said with Grace O'Toole having been added to the panel from that team.
“They were the only team to defeat Cork (winners) two days in a row in the Munster and All Ireland Championship so it's about keeping the whole thing going as well.
“There is a huge financial element to it as well. There is a huge commitment element to it so nights like tonight make the players appreciate that as well which is hugely important,” she said speaking at the Supporters Night at the Ragg last week ahead of this Saturday's All Ireland quarter final with Limerick.
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