Cahill looking to turn Semple into a true home advantage

By Noel Dundon

Tipperary manager Liam Cahill declared himself content having seen his side record their second win of the Allianz Hurling League against Wexford, although not in the manner he would have hoped for.

“We are delighted with the win in the first game of the year here in Semple Stadium,” he said.

“It was great to see kids out on the field getting autographs off their heroes and it was important that we got a win in our first game at home.

“We were very conscious of Wexford coming up with a big performance and that’s what they brought – they are a great hurling county, and we knew that after last weekend against Cork they would come with a big pep in their step and that’s exactly what they did.

“It was tight for long periods, and we are just delighted to get the win, and with the attitude of the players as well. Maybe we didn’t hurl as fluently as we would like but sticking to the task and getting the job done is important.

“Our defence was very good and there are lots of positives. Some parts of our play was sloppy and that contributed to handing the initiative to Wexford but at this time of the year you will have some of those issues.

“I suppose we are conscious in Thurles that we protect this place as best we can. We have to come out here with an edge to our play especially in the league games here because it is so ultra-competitive. It is a case of building blocks – small building blocks all the time and we have a massive challenge now against Limerick in the Gaelic Grounds.”

Tipperary, though perhaps safe in the division at this stage with four points, will continue to do what they have been doing with the plan of arriving at the championship in the best possible fettle. There will be no deviation from the plan according to the manager.

“Hurling at any level is just so competitive and you have to be on top of your game all the time,” he added.

“We have to really prepare well and arrive with a good, settled team at the end of the league no matter where we are in the table. That is our objective, and we need to be fairly sure of what we are about when we head to FBD Semple Stadium on the 20th of April for the game against Limerick. That is the ultimate target – the first round of the Munster championship.

“We don’t have to prove anything to anyone only ourselves and it is all about improving every day and giving the players the chance to prove themselves and gain experience,” he said.