The work is done, it's up to Tipp to perform
Munster Senior Hurling Championship Preview 2019
CORK v TIPPERARY
Pairc Ui Chaoimh
Sunday, 12th May
Throw-in @ 4.00pm
Referee: Sean Cleere (Kilkenny)
Everyone seems to be saying that the year is flying by.
Well for the Tipperary senior hurlers, the championship can't come quickly enough as they get their shot at redemption after a disappointing 2018 championship campaign.
It will have grated all those within the squad to see what turned out to be the greatest hurling championship of them all go on largely without them from June 10th last year when Clare ended Tipperary's championship dreams.
Excuses were made about the National League campaign that finished late because of the snow, and then the busy club period. Well, they don't exist this year with Tipp's league campaign having ended on St Patrick's weekend while they have had a four week run into this Sunday's first game against Cork where a tone needs to be set to say that Tipperary are on the way back.
There's no doubting that Tipp have ground to make up on their Munster rivals but it is something they are well capable of achieving as they remain one of the most talented squads out there. Bar first year senior Jerome Cahill with a knee cartilage injury, everyone is fit and rearing to go and it's now time Tipperary's hurling did the talking.
Much has been said about Tipperary's lack of pace, particularly in defence, but that can be overcome with a defined game-plan that doesn't leave players exposed, but overall, the way hurling has changed in recent years, it's all about movement and something Tipperary were the best at by far in 2016 when they won the All Ireland title.
Read more in this weeks Guardian