Sheedy happy that things are moving in the right direction
Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy described last Saturday's fifteen point win over Kerry as a worthwhile exercise as it booked their place in the Munster Hurling League final against Clare.
“We are getting a good mix of new lads coming in and getting their chance as well as other guys that have been there a while getting their chance.
“Overall it was a worthwhile exercise, we won the two games and are in the final and get a chance to test ourselves against top class opposition two weeks out from the national league, so it's very positive from our point of view,” he began.
Tipperary were outscored in the second half 1-7 to 1-6 with Sheedy admitting a lot energy went out of their play after half time but paid huge credit to Kerry for the manner of their performance.
“They are a team I have huge admiration for. They are working off a very small base. There is great spirit in their hurling. They have some great fielders of the ball and in the second half took some savage scores.
“We went 0-8 to 0-2 up and we thought we'd step on the gas but Kerry came back to 0-9 to 0-6 and troubled us but we had a rich period in the fifteen minutes before half time and ultimately that was the difference in the game. It was nip and tuck in the second half but we did the damage when we were on in that fifteen minutes in the first half where it was very good.
“We got a little bit tired in the second half, especially up front and lost some of our work ethic that we'll be looking for but we are in the middle of a serious training block. We have put a good six weeks in so it wasn't a surprise to see a little bit of lethargy setting in because this is the work time as when you get into the 26th of January and the thing takes off with it being week on week, we won't have a chance to put the foot to the pedal so it's foot to the floor at the moment and we are getting a good response,” he said.
To read more, pick up a copy of this weeks Nenagh Guardian locally or subscribe to our e-paper to access it online each Wednesday.