Great Wins for Tipp GAA

All-Ireland Senior Football Qualifiers

Tipperary 3-21; Louth 0-7

Munster Senior Hurling Final

Tipperary 0-21; Waterford 0-16

Munster Minor Hurling Final

Tipperary 0-20; Limerick 0-17

The week-end just gone was a very successful one for Tipperary GAA teams. The most amazing result was that achieved by the senior footballers against Louth at Semple Stadium on Saturday. It was not surprising that they won, but the margin of victory against a traditional football county — who themselves had put up a big score when beating Leitrim in the previous round — leaves one stuck for words. It shows that the nucleus of a 'top-eight' football team is there. The county is lucky to have a great group of mentors involved with the team, composed of some born within the county, and others who, thankfully, have come to work and live here. There is another plus in the fact that as well as the Football Board, the present county chairman and county secretary are very positive towards football, as well as hurling, in the county.

The Munster Senior Hurling final reminded me of a tug-of-war contest with the little white band in the middle going one way and then the other until a final 'heave' brought it over the line. The final 'heave' in this case was provided by a few Tipperary forwards like John O'Dwyer — whose wrist work is poetry in-motion — Jason Forde and Nial O'Meara, who were capable of picking of points that the Waterford forwards were unable to emulate. There was some fine individual skill shown by players on both sides, there was also a lot of 'ping-pong' play, with a loose back on one side driving the ball into the other half where a loose back on the other side collected it. Tipperary will need to sharpen up in certain areas if they hope to attain the much sought-after All-Ireland. Their passing of the ball via hand or hurley left a lot to be desired yesterday. Their propensity to tackle an opponent with the arm, or hurley, around him continues to be a problem for them.

The minor hurlers achieved a great victory when beating a Limerick team going for three Munster titles in a row. They have struggled a bit to all their wins to date — often the pathway to All-Ireland glory! The best of luck to them.