Mixed injury news following Galway win
Tipperary manager Liam Cahill has played down injury concerns to Bryan O’Mara and Jake Morris after both departed early in Sunday’s National Hurling League win over Galway at FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles.
By Shane Brophy
Both sustained minor hamstring injuries and were taken off as a precaution in the first half after starting brightly at wing back and full forward respectively. Both will be a couple of weeks on the side-lines but considering Tipperary have won their first two league games and Westmeath next up on Saturday week, there is no urgency for them to return too soon, although they will look to be back for the mouth-watering clash with All-Ireland champions Limerick on March 9th.
However, there is concern over a finger injury sustained by Darragh Stakelum in Sunday’s game with the Thurles Sarsfields clubman lasting just three minutes after coming on.
A potential serious injury comes at the worst time for the twenty-year-old as he looks to confirm as place on the panel with 41 players used in the four competitive games so far, with Cathal Barrett, Dan McCormack, Jason Forde and Noel McGrath still to return, and manager Liam Cahill confirmed, the final panel will be confirmed after the Westmeath game.
“It’s not sustainable to bring that number of players forward,” Cahill said.
“We have large numbers with us at the moment but it’s not dragging down our prep.
“We’ll have plenty of in-house games between ourselves, we’ll have a bit of work in with our under-20s as well and give them a guide to see where they’re at.
“We’ll see who puts their hand up for Westmeath and after the Westmeath game we’ll start to tighten things up a bit in terms of numbers.”
With wins over Dublin and Galway, Tipperary are in a strong place to reach a league semi-final with games against Westmeath, Limerick, and Antrim to come, and with Tipp not in action in the first round of the Munster Championship, the premier can really go after a first league title since 2008.
“The league is a national title and I’ve always said that we in Tipp need to get back winning titles,” Cahill added.
“If it’s on offer, you have to go after it. We’re building a nice panel at the moment and there are players that are hungry to have success.
“So, if we do find ourselves in the hunt for a league title in the latter stage, we will be going hard after it, both to win the league and to put real shape and substance on what we’re trying to do for the championship as well.”