League has been a tough learning curve - Kelly

By PJ Leddy

After Sunday's defeat by Leitrim in a game that his side had nothing to play for as regard league honours, Tipperary manager Paul Kelly said his lads were extremely honest and worked very hard from start to finish.

“That's all we ask for,” he began.

“The honesty and integrity of what we put in during the week I was delighted to see a few lads come back and get a run out. We didn't have Sean (O’Connor) and we still don't have Conor (Sweeney).

“We got some nice (first half) scores. We had to rely on probably too many from distance. In the second half that was an issue.

“We have two weeks to work on a few things before we go into the championship.”

Reflecting on this league campaign which has been a disappointment in terms of results, Kelly was taking the positives from the performances.

“The way I see it, barring the Wexford game, there was only one or two points in it – two points up against London – three points up against Laois - two points up at the end against Waterford,” he reflected.

“It is a very young team. Lads are learning their trade, and they are learning their trade at a very significant level. It is a huge jump up for a lot of them from club league football.

“I can only ask for the honesty and integrity that we got from today. It is a bit of a journey without using that word as a cliché – lads are learning on the go.

“As I say in the next two weeks, we need to put our heads down and hopefully we get a few more scores from upfront than we did today.”

Tipp turn their attention to the championship and a Munster quarter final against Waterford in Dungarvan on Sunday, 7th April.