Missing out on the Munster final and taking the scenic route in the All-Ireland series could prove more beneficial to Tipp's long-term ambitions.
That’s the view of former player and RTÉ hurling analyst Shane McGrath after watching the Premier County seal their provincial progress with victory over Waterford at Semple Stadium.
While expectations were low at the start of the campaign – Tipp picked up a single point in Munster last year as Liam Cahill’s second year in charge saw elimination before the final round of fixture – things are on a different trajectory in 2025.
Boosted by an influx of trophy-hunting U20s such as Sam O’Farrell, Darragh McCarthy and Oisin O’Donoghue, Tipp could contest a Munster final if Waterford defeat Cork next weekend.
McGrath feels that while there is now a great buzz around the county, the possibility of coming up against an in-form Limerick in a Munster decider could have a "detrimental" effect on Liam MacCarthy ambitions.
The Treaty men, chasing a seventh Munster title on the trot, put a highly-fancied Cork side to the sword with a devastating display at TUS Gaelic Grounds to flex their own All-Ireland ambitions and serve as a reminder that reports of their demise may be somewhat premature.
Speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast, McGrath suggests that Tipp, who have only beaten Limerick once (2019) since the round-robin was introduced and suffered a 15-point shellacking at the Gaelic Grounds last year, could be better served finishing third.
The sides played out a draw last month, but John Kiely's side and the cavalry of substitutes, appear to be hitting top form.
"I’m sure the Tipperary boys would love to be there (Munster final)," he said. "Of course they would. As a Tipp hurler, to get to a Munster final, that is as close as it gets to an All-Ireland final, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world if they didn’t get there.
"If you get to a Munster final and what could potentially could happen with the form Limerick are in right now, it could be more detrimental to your All-Ireland campaign than playing your preliminary quarter-final against the Joe McDonagh winner or runner-up where you are going into the quarter-final with a bit of momentum and a buzz around."
McGrath says the pressure Cahill was feeling was evident in his emotional reaction at the full-time whistle, and his own admission post-match that the going has been tough at times in the hotseat.
With murmurs of discontent within sections of the supporters, the victory is timely as Tipp can look forward to a longer championship campaign and potentially, a first Munster final in four years.
"The pressure is off now to a degree. We’re out of Munster. This was the goal at the start of the year and a lot of people said we wouldn’t do it.
"They are in a great place."
Listen to the RTÉ GAA Podcast on the RTÉ Radio Player, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Follow a live blog on the All-Ireland Football Championship on Saturday on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Watch highlights on The Saturday Game (9.30pm) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player and listen live on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch a hurling championship double-header, Dublin v Galway (2pm) and Cork v Waterford (4pm), on Sunday from 1.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Highlights on The Sunday Game from 9.30pm
