Breen the big plus for Cahill

By Shane Brophy

The current Kilkenny vintage might not be the high watermark at senior inter-county level, but they remain an acid test of a teams’ mettle and from that point of view it was a pleasing days work for Tipperary to have left there with a first win over their rivals since 2008.

“I came here a couple of times myself as a player and I can guarantee you one thing it’s not a simple place to come to,” admitted winning manager Liam Cahill.

“It asks big questions of you.

“We came down with good teams before but Kilkenny pride themselves on winning down here and that’s always the way.

“I’m sure tonight Derek and the boys won’t read too much into this come April when the championship starts. It’s just a bit of work in progress for both sides under new managers, really.”

Cahill made nine changes from the opening round win over Laois with veterans, including captain Noel McGrath, Dan McCormack, Jason Forde and Seamus Callanan coming back in and the Tipp boss was pleased with their input, as well as the younger brigade.

“They’re consistent performers and have been for the last number of years with Tipperary, so they’re a big part of our set-up,” he added.

“I’m very happy with the younger fellas in and around them and they’re learning. These boys create a great culture with the likes of the older fellas, Seamie, Jason, Dan and Noel and all these boys to get them to aspire to what’s required to play for Tipperary.”

A six point win would have been taken gleefully beforehand but it could have been more but for nineteen wides, and added to the eighteen against Laois, there is plenty to tidy up going forward.

The wayward shooting ensured Kilkenny stayed in the game, despite being twelve points behind at half time, but they reduced it to four going into the final ten minute, however, coming through that little bit of stress to finish strongly was another key learning for this Tipp group.

Cahill revealed: “I said to Mikey (Bevans) beside me that it’s a great challenge to see how the players react between the lines and see how they figure it out.

“They fought away and clutched at straws and got a couple of scores against the run of play and it just kept the scoreboard ticking over.

“I’d be hopeful as the year progresses, we will find ourselves in situations like that more often and the more often we do hopefully it’s the better we’ll get.

“To see out the game, that was the primary objective. Because we wouldn’t have been seeing out games well in the past, that would be a narrative that’s out there around Tipperary, that they don’t see out big leads. Today was important then to see it out.”

The one consistent in Tipperary’s five games so far in 2023 has been Michael Breen at full back and in a real test up against Walter Walsh, the Ballina clubman played the percentages well.

“That’s a big plus for the day,” Cahill revealed.

“Mikey was steady back there. Getting back into the familiar role that he played a number of years ago as a minor.

“If Mikey can continue that form, it’s a big plus for us going into the remainder of the league and championship.”