Championship is looming, but Tipperary will be all out to have a real crack at Limerick in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 semi-final, says Jackie Tyrrell.
In a spring campaign where levels of intensity have not risen far up the dial, the top-tier semis, on paper, do offer the prospect of some cut and thrust. First up is the clash of Limerick and Tipperary at the TUS Gaelic Ground on Saturday, throw-in 7.30pm. Sunday afternoon sees Kilkenny host Cork at UPMC Nowlan Park, with a 4pm start.
Former Cats star Tyrrell, speaking on the RTÉ GAA Podcast, has been impressed with what Liam Cahill's unbeaten Tipp side have served up so far in the league. He expects the Premier to keep up that forward trajectory when they face the All-Ireland champions.
"I think Liam Cahill only knows one gear to a certain way, and that is foot to the floor, which we saw from Waterford last year," he said.
"Even from the early stages of the league he's been driving this Tipp team; they have been performing really well. They have the acid test this weekend but it's a great position for them. We're still a month away from championship, so they can go hammer and tongs at Limerick. If they take a beating; if the experiement of Mikey Breen in the full-back line doesn't work, Liam still has a month and has options to work around that."
.@MrJackieTee feels Tipperary will put the 'foot to the floor' when they face Limerick in the Division 1 semi-final #tipperarygaa #limerickgaa #rtegaapodcast #rtegaa #AllianzLeagues pic.twitter.com/7LFqJWUNOm
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) March 23, 2023
"He will learn so much; it's crunch time to a certain extent. Alan Tynan will proably go up against Kyle Hayes and Diarmuid Byrnes. Liam Cahill will know exactly where Alan Tynan is come the end of the game. There are so many of the new guys that will go up against the acid test - a really seasoned Limerick team that are a lot more advanced than last year.
Kian O'Kelly and Sean Ryan made their league debuts for Tipperary against Antrim last weekend. Other new names are also fighting for starting places, while recognised names like Seamus Callanan and Cathal Barrett are fighting their way back to full fitness, hopefully for the Munster opener against Clare on 23 April.
Another Tipp stalwart is Noel McGrath, and Tyrrell is curious what role he might play against the Treaty.
"Even Noel McGrath. Has he got 70 minutes in the middle of the field against the most physical team in the country? Or does he play him in a 50-60 minute role and move him into the forwards then?"
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