No excuses from Power as relegation confirmed
By Michael Dundon
After he had seen his side lose to Offaly in a chaotic finish to the National Football League division 3 tie on Saturday which combined with Antrim confirmed their relegation back to division 4, Tipperary manager David Power’s focus immediately turned to the upcoming Munster championship first round game against Waterford, the winners of which will face All-Ireland champions, Kerry in the semi-final.
Tipp have failed to win a league game in six outings, a draw with Longford their only point in the campaign, and the Kilsheelan/Kilcash clubman has three weeks to whip his charges into shape for the Waterford clash but with Kerry looming for the winners, the manager was realistic enough to place his real attention on the upcoming Tailteann Cup competition.
“All we can do now is look ahead to the game with Waterford,” he said, with one league game still to play against Westmeath next Sunday.
“We haven’t had much luck in this campaign but all we can do is get on with it. We were chasing the game today when they caught us with the late goals but that happens in matches. We are disappointed but I am encouraged by the fact that our performances have been improving in our more recent games.
“The way things have gone we deserve to be going down to division four, but we are improving with every game. We missed a couple of goal chances here which could have made a big difference had we got even one of them.” The manager would not comment on the Liam McGrath black card incident in the 66th minute with Tipp just a point down and forced to play the crucial closing stages a man short.
“We have to keep our heads up and just get on with doing our best and trying to improve”, he added.
Key players like Steven O’Brien, Conal Kennedy, and Conor Sweeney who are injured have been a huge loss to Tipp and are facing the proverbial race against time to be ready for the Munster Championship. David Power could not say if the three weeks will be enough time for them to recover to play championship football.
“They are all working hard to get back, but it is impossible to say at this stage how things will go for them.
“Right now, our season is still there for us with the Munster Championship and Tailteann Cup to come. We just have to get our heads down and drive on”, he added.