Dark Day for Tipp Senior Hurlers

All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final:

Kilkenny 4-24; Tipperary 1-15

Tipperary suffered their heaviest defeat ever in an All-Ireland semi-final, or final, in Croke Park yesterday. The All-Ireland final of '64 was well avenged. I could throw in another one before I was born - Killarney 1937; remembered especially for the outstanding displays by the two greats from Carrick-on-Suir, Willie Wall and Jimmy Cooney - when Tipperary's victory margin was a point less than yesterday's defeat. The obsession to get the ball into the hand which has permeated through hurling for more than 30 years eminently suits certain counties - not Tipperary. If Tipperary's senior All-Ireland's are not to be even more sparse than they have been for the past 47 years, they will have to return to their traditional style of first time striking on the ground and in the air and avoid handling when ever possible. In the scrummages, the ball should be worked out to an alerted team mate, by hurley or boot, who should move it towards the opponents goal as quickly as possible thereby avoiding the mostly unproductive attempts to get the ball into the hand. There are times when it is more beneficial to handle the ball and place it to the best advantage of a team mate—a player's instinct will dictate when this should happen.

For hurling in general, the great skill of ground and air striking should be cultivated in players from a young age. This is not happening at present despite the fact that large amounts of cash are being apportioned to coaching. Referees should receive directions from Central Council as to how they should react when a player "pulls" on a ball and contact is made with an opponent accidentally in the process. They are making erratic decisions at present.

Donegal Determination and Skill

All-Ireland SFC Quarter Final:

Donegal 1-12; Kerry 1-10

Donegal's victory over Kerry was based on tremendous physical fitness and presence; top class organization and skillful use of the ball. When they moved the ball forward at a fast pace—as they did on a few occasions—they got terrific scores. I do not think there would be much envy, anywhere, to a Donegal-Mayo final!

Bridge Too Far for Gallant Crew

All-Ireland MFC Quarter-Final:

Tipperary 1-8; Mayo 0-19

The defeat of the Tipperary minor footballers was a very sad moment for me. I believe that complacency was the main cause of this setback. No matter how hard a manager and selectors try to dispel such notions, it seeps into the players minds and the underdog is given the opportunity to capitalize. Having longed for football success at national level for more than sixty years, I want to say to every member of the panel of players, to the manager and his fellow selectors: "Thank you". I have witnessed many false dawns in the past but, with youth at the helm, I feel that on this occasion it will prove to be a springboard for future success. I would like to see young people with good football lineage filling key positions at board level.

Trio of Triumphs for Tipp

A very good week-end for Tipperary G.A.A. teams:

All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers:

Tipperary 1-13; Wexford 0-15

On Saturday, the senior footballers displayed determination, courage and skill to see off the challenge of Wexford. A further display of these characteristics and more confidence will thwart the new found ambitions of Antrim at Semple Stadium next Saturday. The best of luck in that game.

Munster MHC Final:

Tipperary 1-16; Clare 1-12

On Sunday the minor hurlers regained the Munster championship after a lapse of five years. Extra pleasing was the fact that Bill Maher became the first player from the Kilsheelan-Kilcash club to captain a championship-winning Tipperary hurling team. I may be wrong, but as far as I am aware, the only other occasions when players from the South division captained Munster and All-Ireland winning Tipperary hurling teams were in 1996 when the present minor hurling manager, William Maher of Ballingarry, achieved the honours; and going back to 1953 when that fine forward, the late Tommy Foran of Carrick-on-Suir Davins, led the junior team to victory. The best of luck in the next game.

Familiarity breeds contempt. I omitted mentioning Mullinahone's Eoin Kelly—one of the greatest players of his generation—who captained the senior hurlers on their great victory in 2010—Sorry.

Munster SHC Final:

Tipperary 3-19; Waterford 1-18

Congratulations to the senior hurlers on retaining the Munster crown. It was a tough physical battle.

The positives:

• The determination shown by the players in their efforts to gain possession and in preventing their opponents from using the ball when possession was lost.
• The good showing of the two corners of defence despite a somewhat shaky start, and also the centre
• The physical presence and skill of Brian O'Meara and Patrick (Bonnar)Maher in the forward line is a great addition to the team's armory.
• The non-concession of too many frees—most of those conceded were accidental. Many frees are being awarded to players at present in hurling, and gaelic football, where no contact has been made on the player receiving them.
• The return of Eoin Kelly to near his past form is a huge plus.

The negatives:

• Too much hand passing in an effort to score a goal when points are there for the taking. A player's instinct will let him know when a goal is on.
• Eliminate wayward passing.
• More ground hurling to open up play for the forwards, all of whom are capable of scoring.

The best of luck at the next outing which I believe will be at Beechers Brook.

Galway Shock Mighty Cats

Leinster SHC Final:

Galway 2-21; Kilkenny 2-11

Galway's achievement has given a badly needed boost to hurling. It was achieved with strong motivation, undoubted skill and a determination often lacking in the past. A combination of these factors knocked Kilkenny out of their stride in the first half. In that situation the underdog will achieve things that would not come easy on other occasions. Kilkenny showed how lethal they still are by outscoring Galway in the second half. The Galway forwards contributed to this by adopting a more defensive role—understandable in the circumstances, I suppose—but it made their attack very disjointed. Great to see Joe Canning back to his best. He exudes class in everything he does since his minor days. He is a fine role model for the youth of the country when it is so badly needed as certain elements try their worst to drive society further into the mire.

Tipp Minors Retain Crown

Munster MFC Final:

Tipperary 2-14; Kerry 1-14

Many congratulations to Tipperary minor footballers. They may be minor in name but not in achievement. It takes a mighty effort to beat Kerry three times in a row in the minor championship—twice in the same competition. Despite the great efforts of a gallant few, Tipperary have been serfs to royal masters for longer than I can remember except for the occasional uprising - Kilarney and Thurles in 1955 and Kilarney again in 1984. The foundations have been laid and I hope on this occasion that success will blossom at senior level. Best of luck in our remaining games—which may involve another meeting with Kerry—especially to my neighbours David Power and Bill Maher.

Meath Derail Kildare

Leinster SFC Semi-Final:

Meath 1-17; Kildare 1-11

Some great football in this game. It showed what a great game Gaelic football can be when the ball is moved forward all the time—cut the lateral and back passing. Some great fielding and long kicking in this game. Meath bring something special to the game when they are at, or near, their best. Following some of their displays in recent times it shows what can be done with proper motivation when the ability is there as it is in most other counties. I was sorry for Kildare, though. They have produced fine players over a long number of years without getting the rewards they deserve. They tried the long ball yesterday. It would have worked for them if the target man had proper support—there did not appear to be any plan in that regard. Playing Johnny Doyle around the middle of the field was a waste. Meath had two great fielders there who were very tall. Doyle would have been much better employed near the opponents goal. Kildare will still be there for the shake up. With a little more fine-tuning, Meath will put it up to Dublin.

All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers:

Tipperary 1-12; Offaly 0-10

Well done to Tipperary on their win against Offaly—a tough one coming up against Wexford, but they can do it with plenty of the Meath-like motivation