SUCCESSFUL TEAMS AT the end of a season are invariably able to pinpoint a pivotal moment when the campaign turned in their favour.
There may well be a stage in 2013 when the Tipperary hurlers can reflect in that manner on Saturday night’s game in Páirc Uí Rinn.
It could be the match that brings home to them how far they are off the pace and of the need to refocus. It’s early in the season and there’s no need to press panic buttons.
But their performance still has to be a major worry for their manager Eamonn O’Shea. Tipperary were atrocious and there was no pattern to their play. They looked rudderless. I don’t buy into the fact that heavy training affected them as every county is in the midst of that type of training programme at present.
The defeat puts huge emphasis on their next game against Kilkenny. Lose that and it becomes ominous as they are dragged into a relegation scrap. Given how Tipperary’s 2012 season concluded, having a poor league could be damaging to their championship preparation for this year.
Their opponents Cork will be happy to have claimed two points given they have had a difficult winter themselves. Victory eases the pressure on their management. They have bought themselves time and ensured the recurring questions about absent players should abate for a while.
Given the tough away games that Cork have coming up, it’s a vital two points. There was great variety to their play, Daniel Kearney really stood out at midfield and Christopher Joyce put in a more than adequate debut at centre-back. It was typical of Cork’s hurling history, they can be flat one season and then come out the next to produce an outstanding performance with some excellent young players.
Youth is certainly a trait evident in the Clare team and yesterday showed they are firmly on a learning curve. I heard Davy Fitzgerald’s post-match interview and he was brutally honest.
It’s a step up for his team. I thought before this weekend they were a team who would challenge strongly to reach the league final. They may still achieve that but having lost a game that would have been considered a banker, that task looks all the harder now.
Waterford are a team with the know-how for league matches and they’re extremely dogged. Think back to last year when the knives were out for them after losing their first two games. But they regrouped and claimed a brilliant win up in Salthill against Galway.
Clare’s Padraic Collins and Michael Walsh of Waterford.
Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan
The Tribesmen themselves picked up a good win yesterday. Galway teams traditionally have a habit of scoring goals against Kilkenny. They showed that yesterday in firing three in the first-half.
Granted Kilkenny were under-strength but Galway proved again that they are a team that worries Brian Cody. I don’t think they are going to falter this year. They’re a little more battle-hardened and have the most astute management in their county’s recent history.
If they can just give Joe Canning some assistance up front, they’ll be in strong contention. Perhaps Damien Hayes will thrive if stationed closer to goal, Conor Cooney can maintain his club form and Niall Burke will benefit from the experience of last year.
Division 1B
I was delighted to see the results in this division, particularly with how competitive Carlow and Antrim were. Consider that Limerick beat Antrim by a cricket score last year which lead to Antrim’s right to participate in the Liam McCarthy being questioned.
They showed yesterday they can challenge in losing narrowly against Limerick, as did Carlow. I’ve always admired John Meyler as a manager. He improves every team he goes to and particularly as individuals in their hurling which is a great management gift to have. They won’t be trounced in their remaining games.
Wexford and Limerick did what they had to do in winning as they have promotion aspirations. Dublin and Offaly are in a similar position but it was Dublin who edged their battle on Saturday night.
I know Offaly were deeply disappointed by the result. They have Wexford and Limerick at home now and simply have to win both of them. One defeat will ensure they are in Division 1B next year and that will represent a failure to progress.
Player of the weekend… Patrick Horgan may have won the man-of-the-match award after Saturday night’s game but I thought Daniel Kearney was magnificent at midfield for Cork. He helped Cork control that sector, he had great balance and movement, and was constantly involved in the play. 0-3 was a neat return from play as well.
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Daithí is a former Offaly hurler who picked up All-Ireland, Leinster and National League medals during his career with the Faithful county and also was part of the Birr sides that won claimed All-Ireland club crowns in 1995 and 1998.
Currently Regan is an established hurling analyst for TV3 and Newstalk, appearing regularly on the station’s Off The Ball programme,
