Tipp 20 hurlers need to up levels for Waterford clash

GAA: Fulfil Munster Under 20 Hurling Championship

By Shane Brophy

WATERFORD v TIPPERARY

Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field, Dungarvan

Wednesday, 1st April

Throw-in @ 7.00pm

Referee: Ciaran O’Regan (Cork)

There were similarities to how Tipperary started their ultimately successful 2025 Under 20 campaign with how they began the defence of their Munster and All-Ireland titles.

While they made a winning start this time round compared to a shock loss to Limerick, the manner of the performance against Cork was similar, lacking control and littered with mistakes but still finding a way to win was what Tipp manager Brendan Cummins took from the game.

“We were happy with the battling qualities the lads showed,” said the former All-Star goalkeeper.

“We knew Cork were going to be really good and that’s what we got.

“When we went a man up before half-time it kind of helped Cork to get set up properly for the second half, which they did, and no more than us in the first half they got the jump on us and did really well.

“Then Jamie (Ormond) came out around the half-forward line and started to get on a few breaks and we got a bit of momentum and the goal he got was the key as we were on the ropes at that stage.

“The lads, to be fair to them, kept plugging away, didn’t mind the scoreboard, never panicked, and thankfully in the finish we fell across the line.”

Tipperary certainly fell foul of the referee, conceding 22 frees turned into thirteen Cork points, three moved forward thirteen metres for dissent, which will become thirty yards from the second round onwards as the rule amendment passed at Congress comes into force.

“Next week it will be a 21-yard free for dissent with the rule changes coming on March 28th so we just have to be careful,” Cummins admitted.

“But still, the honest endeavour the lads showed. We want to play that bit on the edge. We want to try to hunt the ball down as best we can and sometimes we overreach and sometimes it’s the ref’s interpretation but that is the swings and roundabouts of it.

“When we were six points down fifteen minutes into the second half when people were looking around wondering what is going to happen next that’s when the lads really showed up and that is the thing I take the most from tonight.”

With four players on the Tipperary senior panel and the eight Nenagh CBS panellists having only joined the panel fully in recent weeks, the Cork game was the first time the team played together and should gel better as the games go on.

“In fairness to Liam (Cahill), the boys need the opportunity as senior hurlers, the league has been very positive for Tipp with using the younger lads including Stefan playing against Waterford,” Cummins added.

“As I always say, we rent these young men off the senior set-up. The seniors have to win and we’ll do our best to feed fella’s up to that and Oisin, Cathal, Jamie and Stefan have been really good when they come back into the group, no more than the example that was shown by Darragh (McCarthy) and Sam (O’Farrell) last year; they really showed the template for the future generations to come and we are just trying to help lads to push on.”

Tipp will take a big step towards at least progressing to the knockout stage if they were to get the better of Waterford in round two this evening (Wednesday); the Deise having lost to a late Clare goal in their first game.

The only injury concern for Tipp is around Adam Ryan who came off at half time against Cork with a knock but was only expected to play a half having missed a few weeks of training.

Cummins added: "We have a lot of work to do; there is no doubt about that but this one is over. We go down to Fraher Field next Wednesday where Waterford are on an absolute high after winning the Minor All-Ireland. They have a new management team, and everything is fresh and all systems go so we have to be ready for that.

The Tipperary team to play Waterford shows two changes from the starting line-up against Cork with Jake Donelan-Houlihan coming into the defence in place of Shane Ryan while Eoghan Doughan starts in the attack for the injured Adam Ryan.