New era for Tipp set to begin
LIMERICK v TIPPERARY
Gaelic Grounds, Limerick
Friday 14th December
Throw-in @ 7.45pm
Referee: Rory McGann (Clare)
Eleven days before Christmas isn't an ideal time to be playing a competitive hurling match but for many in Tipperary they don't mind one bit.
Six months and four days, that is how long the Tipperary senior hurlers have been out of competitive action since their early exit in the 2018 championship to this Friday's Munster League opener against Limerick.
Not only that, both players and supporters had to watch on as the knockout stages of the greatest hurling championship ever went on without them and with the New Year just over two weeks away, hope springs eternal that 2019 can be different.
This Friday's Munster League opener doesn't need much selling from either sides perspective, with All Ireland champions Limerick playing their first game on home soil since that August triumph, while for Tipperary, it marks the official second coming of Liam Sheedy as manager with the hope that the Portroe native will be able to recreate his All Ireland victory of 2010 over the course of his three year term.
News of his return was greeted favorably within the county and such was his enthusiasm when he was given the nod to succeed Michael Ryan, it is not hard to expect that it will rub off on the players and generate that extra level of performance which help turn the championship defeats and draws into wins for Tipperary in 2019.
He and his management team of Tommy Dunne and Darragh Egan haven't allowed the grass to grow under their feet and have been busy over the last month since collective training resumed with Liam Sheedy admitting they are playing catch-up in all areas.
“I do feel we are behind the curve physically compared to the other teams,” Sheedy said speaking at the launch of the Coop Superstores Munster League in Limerick last week.
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