Fitzgerald urges players to stick together

By Stephen Barry

Niall Fitzgerald is optimistic that his Tipperary team will stick together to build on their 2026 campaign.

The Moyle Rovers clubman was left to rue basic errors as their Tailteann Cup bid ran aground in Aughrim on Saturday but headed home proud of his players.

“It was a hard one,” said Fitzgerald.

“At times, we played well in ways but made a lot of fundamental mistakes. It was very greasy.

“The goal in the first half was a killer. We should have been going in four or five points up at half-time and you end up going in a point up. With that wind, it wasn't going to be enough. It dried up in the second half and Wicklow punished us.

“In fairness to the lads, (Mark) Jackson made a good save there and they had another one cleared off the line. They kept fighting and I'm definitely proud of them for that. Just architects of our own downfall a little bit in terms of some real sloppy turnovers.”

Fitzgerald reflected that Wicklow, above all other Division 4 opponents, are “a few years ahead of us” in their physicality.

“We have a lot of real good young players, but it'll take a couple of years for them to develop to the level required. I'd be really hopeful that they'll stick together. It's vital. We have to keep them together.

“What I will say is they're actually a really close group and I would be very hopeful that because of that closeness, we should have a strong retention there.”

Fitzgerald hailed stalwarts Steven O’Brien and Jimmy Feehan for completing 70 minutes on their first championship starts of the year.

“It was really great to see Steven back playing and Jimmy. What both of them showed me and showed everyone is there's a good bit more left in them yet.

“I hope they don't have any silly ideas (about retiring) because I need them, the group need them, and it was great to see them stepping up.”

Looking ahead to next year, Fitzgerald said a post-season review would clarify their areas to improve.

“We're trying to implement certain tactical things and it takes time to start developing them.

“Next year, you'd be hoping to add different strings to the bow and develop other aspects. That's the nature of it. You have to be constantly evolving.

“I’d have no doubt, if I am here in two years’ time, we'd be doing something a lot different. You evolve as you go. Different games present you different problems. We forget how new the new rules are. There's a lot of trial and error.”