Cummins salutes players bravery in ultimate success

By Shane Brophy

“Bravery” is the buzzword when it comes to Tipperary hurling at the moment and under 20 manager Brendan Cummins highlighted it following his sides All-Ireland Final victory over Kilkenny.

“I was delighted to see them express themselves today and show the bravery in the first half that we needed,” said the Ballybacon/Grange clubman who now becomes an All-Ireland winning manager in the grade as he was as a player in 1995.

“We saw Kilkenny last week and they were really good,” he added.

“But we knew if we were brave in the ball, especially the way the wind was, opportunity would come in the second half and thankfully that's the way it panned out.”

Tipperary won the toss and opted to play against the strong breeze in the first half, but Kilkenny opted to still operate a sweeper in Jeff Neary which didn’t help them in taking advantage of the elements.

“We just knew that was the way it was going to be,” Cummins revealed.

“So, in a lot of ways, they're similar enough in that we had Jim (Ryan) for a lot of our games trying to hold back a little bit as well. That's the modern game of hurling.

“So, we knew when we were able to prepare for it and it's one thing preparing but it's another thing executing. Those players were immense today in the way they conducted themselves, the way they were cool under pressure, the way they moved the ball, they stayed wide. All little bits and pieces we'd spoken about. They were actually listening!

He added: “I always like playing against the breeze in the first half, it forces the team to play, Cummins said of the decision made.

“You have to play, you have to move the ball, and you have to be brave right from the start.

“We backed the lads that they'd be able to do that and certainly Halla (Aaron) and Podge and the boys at the back, O’Reilly, they moved the ball around lovely and they didn't bring it into contact too much. We were able to get out and get the ball into Paddy and Oisín up the other end.

Cummins paid particularly tribute to man of the match Paddy McCormack whose two goals were key to opening the game up in the second half, particularly after the full-forward missed last years final defeat through injury.

“He was a bit frustrated I think at half time. There was no need because he was going really well. It was really hard,” Cummins revealed

“That breeze up there was really strong. At half time we just thought the opportunity would come for him and Oisín inside. Thankfully when they got it, there's nobody else in the world I'd want coming through like that only Paddy McCormack and he just did the job. He was brilliant.”

Cummins also paid tribute to the entire 42 man panel, some of whom only featured fleetingly all year.

“They're all chomping at the bith, and it's trying to manage that and trying to keep fellas spirits up,” he revealed.

“Cormac Fitz wouldn't have gotten much game time until we got to the Munster final. He came on here today and he chased lovely. Jamie Ormond, I was delighted Paddy Phelan got on today. Mason (Cawley) last year was playing, and he didn't get any opportunity really to start. But that's the key thing with this group.

“The character they have is unbelievable and they all want to look after the team. They're all disappointed when we don't get on the panel and all that kind of stuff, but they bury it and it's amazing. I haven't seen anything like it now to be honest. I'm unfortunately the one who gives the bad news but they all nod and they go OK it's for the team. You saw the mentality there today.

For 22 of the players, they have backed up an All-Ireland minor title from 2022 with an under 20 success which suggests the development of talent is working well at the moment in the county.

“Winning is fine but the main thing for me obviously is to try to develop the players and get them ready (for senior),” Cummins stressed.

“You could win an All-Ireland and you could end up then not having as many getting through to the senior set-up. So, the priority is to get them ready to play senior.

“If we win along the way like today, that fast tracks the progress because of confidence, there is no doubt about that. So, the most satisfying thing for me I think is the number of players that we're trying to get through to the senior panel to Liam Cahill in the next couple of years. That's the mission.”

Much has been made about the lack of support for Tipperary at senior level until recent weeks but they know a good team when they see one and outnumbered Kilkenny in their own backyard for the second year in a row.

“It was amazing that at the start when the parade was on that the Tipp Tipp Tipp was coming and I could feel it coming from the stand behind me,” Cummins revealed.

“It's just amazing and fair play to the Tipperary supporters. I'm just delighted the lads responded today and gave them something to cheer about down here in Nowlan Park.