Players are being rewarded for their effort - Cahill

By Shane Brophy

Tipperary manager Liam Cahill said the work done by the players to ready themselves, both physically and mentally, was the reason behind the resolve shown in winning Sunday’s semi-final with fourteen men.

“These fellas set really high standards for themselves to be fair and they committed to that. We have a really tight group,” he said.

“Every manager says that when they sit in front of you guys after a win.

“It takes a lot of work to create that because if you haven't everybody on the same wavelength, days like today just don't happen.

“Not just players, I mean the backroom team we have, the people that support them. We're a unit that keeps things really tight and we have one another's back.

“That's what really makes it proud for me is that when you can create something like that and the tests come like they came today at Croke Park, the players usually find the answers.”

He added: “When you put in the work to get the opportunities as a player to play in the big arenas like here, I've said that before, and the lads have put in huge work over the last couple of months. I'm really thrilled for them in particular to start to come out between the lines.

“Today was exciting, it was probably a very much mistake-ridden game as well which probably led to a lot of the excitement with the number of mistakes that were in it.

“We have a lot to do to make sure that we're in a position to go forward and try and take on Cork in two weeks' time.”

Having eachothers back was never more in evidence than following Darragh McCarthy’s sending off in the 58th minute, leaving his team in a hole with a four point half time lead evaporated into a one point deficit, and all the momentum with Kilkenny.

“It was misfortunate,” Cahill said.

“The second yellow, by the rule book it's there, as a second yellow. We had no complaints with it at all.

“I’m just disappointed for Darragh, he commits to everything.

“Just before that we probably had really discussed getting Oisín (O’Donoghue) in at that time.

“Low and behold, Darragh was coming off alright but we can't get Oisín in to replace him.

“It was a bit of a blow at the time but look, it really ignited the rest of the players on the field.

“Again, the impact of our bench coming in had a big bearing on today's game. They gave us huge energy. Alan Tynan in particular was superb when he came on. Obviously, Oisín and Noel as usual, giving us that calming influence.”

Cahill is tipping McCarthy to bounce back, not only from his second red card in the championship, but was also taken off the frees after missing two from four shots with Jason Forde converting four difficult frees in the closing stages.

“It's great to have Jason in reserve, he's having a huge year again,” Cahill said.

“He's a phenomenal player and I'm really thrilled for him.

“I'll be backing young Darragh all day long anyway, I have no concerns in that regard, to be honest with you. He's a very resilient young man and I think over the next fortnight and the next couple of sessions, he'll arrive here in a good place in two weeks' time.”