Bourke and Tipp benefitting from sticking to the process

By Shane Brophy

If ever a group of players deserved their post-match food, it was this Tipperary panel such was the effort they put into Saturday’s championship encounter with Kilkenny.

But before she was able to refuel and begin the recovery began in advance of next Saturday’s quarter-final with Antrim, defender Julieanne Bourke reflected on the performance against the All-Ireland champions.

“They had a great start,” she began.

“We were probably a little sluggish ourselves in the first half, but we knew if we kept at it and trusting the process, we’d stay close to them.

“We are happy enough with the draw but at the same time we did have a few wides and could have won as well, but we got the draw to top the group.”

The Borris-Ileigh club-woman was up close to Tipperary’s difficulties in the first half in the full back line where Denise Gaule was causing real problems with Bourke switched onto her for a short period before Mairead Eviston was brought on and helped settle things down.

“Mairead came in and settled the ship,” Bourke continued.

“But at the same time, you have to trust yourself. We have trained hard all year long; you can’t just give up straight away. It is about the next ball all the time, we trust the girls around us and from there we got on top, were more aggressive in the tackle and drove on from there.

“They had their purple patch at the start but once we did get going, we drove at them.

“We are trying to trust the process, running off each other, better support play, and we are definitely fitter and stronger this year which is beneficial. The panel is also stronger, and the subs today made a huge difference.”

Tipperary were hoping that by topping the group that it would see them book a place back in Kilkenny for a semi-final on July 22nd but instead will have a to face a quarter final next Saturday, but the Tipp corner back isn’t too bothered by that.

“It is probably no harm to get back training and refocus for Antrim,” she insisted.

“It is a day out in Croke Park, Antrim are going to be tough opposition as well, so we need to drive on and push ourselves and hopefully get over the line next weekend.”

Insert: Julieanne Bourke bursts out with the ball despite the attentions of Kilkenny’s Aoife Prendergast and Aoife Doyle. Photo: Bridget Delaney