Nenagh’s challenge is to quell Drom’s momentum

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final Preview

By Shane Brophy

DROM & INCH

V

NENAGH EIRE OG

FBD Semple Stadium

Sunday, 12th October

Throw-in @ 4.00pm (E.T.)

Referee: Michael Kennedy (Newcastle)

Drom & Inch and Nenagh Eire Og are similar in many ways, clubs with plenty of ability and talent, but with few Dan Breen Cups to show over the years for their efforts.

It’s thirty years since Nenagh’s one and only county senior success while Dan Breen has only been in the Mid club just once as well, back in 2011. For one, their dream of a second will remain alive after this Sunday’s semi-final, but who it will be isn’t simple to predict.

Drom & Inch have been a bit of a surprise package this year, not that they didn’t have the ability to, but in recent years have under-performed, however manager Matthew Buckley along with selectors Paul Collins and Matthew McGrath have gotten a consistent tune out of the team this season.

They started slowly in the Mid, conceding 21 points in the first half against Holycross but rallied in the second half. It has been a theme of their year, even in defeat to Loughmore/Castleiney in the first round of the county championship that no margin is too great to claw back, shown again in the quarter final win over Moycarkey/Borris.

The turnaround that day was largely down to peppering the square with ball to David’s Collins & Butler, as well as Seamus Callanan. However, they will be acutely aware that no two games are the same and the long ball tactic might not work against Nenagh, particularly with Barry Heffernan such an effective deep-lying centre back who is also commanding in the air. They can mix it the other way with young Cormac Fitzpatrick having a terrific season.

One major call their management will have to make is whether to start the experienced Butler and Johnny Ryan, or hold them in reserve, but that could be a risk too, not maximising their time on the field.

On the flip side, there is a consistency to Nenagh Eire Og’s selections this season. One potential call could be over Jake Donelan-Houlihan who had a tough time at corner back against Kilruane MacDonagh’s in the quarter final, but would seem suited to Tipperary under 20 All-Ireland winner Fitzpatrick.

The impact Michael Heffernan can have on a contest when allowed to drift from centre forward was noteworthy and Drom may have to consider a man-marker, particularly as they like Podge Campion to hold the centre-back berth, also in terms of what will be behind him in the form of Jake Morris who will likely be taken up by Kevin Hassett who has had a super campaign, and another strong performance here would increase his claims for an inter-county call-up.

Nenagh’s loss to Cashel in round 2 appears to be an outlier in terms of what they have shown in the county championship whereas the wins over Thurles, Mullinahone and Kilruane are a better reflection, performances of substance and control.

There is a sense with Drom & Inch this year of “they never know when they are beaten” and that can carry a team a long way. Can it carry them to a county final?

Verdict: Nenagh Éire Óg