McCormack takes out his frustration on Kilkenny
By Shane Brophy
There were many Tipperary players with motivation to perform in last Saturday’s All-Ireland Under 20 Final.
For the majority, it was making up for last years final loss to Offaly, but for Paddy McCormack, it was getting the opportunity to contribute after missing out twelve months ago through injury.
His man of the match performance in scoring 2-1 from play, and creating a number of other scores, only went to highlight how much of a loss he was against Offaly when he could only watch on helplessly.
“Watching on last year and not being able to do anything about it made me even hungrier for this year,” he revealed following Saturday’s win over Kilkenny.
“It was about training as hard as I can, and getting back here, and once we got into the final there was no way we were going to lose this one.”
He added: “The failure last year probably got us over the line today.
“It was some revenge, there was no way we were losing this one today, we had to win.
“The loss last year might have helped up a small bit, and back in Nowlan Park.”
Manager Brendan Cummins revealed post-match that McCormack was a little frustrated at half time, impacting the game marginally with one classy first half point but he really came into his own in the second half.
“We were happy going in two points up having played against the breeze,” he added.
“We just had to be patient and when the right ball came in with the wind, we made hay in the sunshine. Once the goal opportunities came, we had to take them. Goals win matches as they say.”
Nowlan Park is quickly becoming a happy hunting ground for Tipperary with this being the third All-Ireland Final won at the home of Kilkenny hurling in the last four years, including the 2022 Minor success in which McCormack scored the last gasp winning goal in which Tipp played second fiddle for long stages.
“We were a bit lucky in the minor, we wanted to right them wrongs as the same group and win it properly, with no doubts, and this is a proper title.”