Anthony Daly Explains How He Thinks Tipperary Held Back In League Final

There was plenty of hype around Tipperary coming into the Division 1A final but, after Cork's comprehensive win, that has quelled somewhat.

The Premier County were in fine form during the league phase but ultimately came up well short of Pat Ryan's Rebel charges, who are firmly positioned as the favourites for this year's All-Ireland.

Tipp's form earlier in the league had fans hopeful that they might make it out of the Munster round robin after a bottom-placed finish last year.

However, the fierce competition from Cork, Limerick and defending All-Ireland champions Clare will mean that Tipp will have to be at their very best if they are to have any hope of contending for Liam MacCarthy. Their 10-point defeat to Cork has seen them slip down the predicted pecking order for many pundits.

Clare legend Anthony Daly, however, pinpointed one tactical decision which suggests the league final should not hold too much credence for Tipperary fans.

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Writing in his column in the Irish Examiner, Anthony Daly ran the rule over the four sides expected to fight it out for the three qualification spots in Munster this year.

Daly gave a middle-of-the-road assessment of Tipperary, saying that he believed Liam Cahill's side were still a work in progress, with plenty of young players still to fully break into the team.

Intriguingly, he suggested that Cahill would not have been as despondent about the defeat to Cork in the league final as many of the county's supporters. Daly argued that Tipp appeared to be "keeping powder dry" and that they would no doubt be improved when they take to the field against Limerick on Sunday.

The league final whipping has probably put off some of the Tipp supporters but I still don’t think Liam Cahill left Cork that evening as despondent as many of the supporters.

I read a lot into Jake Morris’ positioning that afternoon. After burning it up at centre-forward for most of the league, I don’t think Cahill wanted to give Cork a look at Jake on Rob Downey. Putting Willie Connors on Downey gave the game away. That made no sense.

Other bits and pieces in Tipp’s play suggested they were keeping powder dry, especially around puckouts.

Tipperary fans will certainly hope that Anthony Daly is right that more is to come from their side.

Nobody could argue that Cork were deserved winners in the league final but, if Tipp can solve the relatively basic issues that plagued them Leeside that afternoon, they may well find themselves in contention.

They get their championship campaign underway on Sunday afternoon against Limerick at Semple Stadium. Throw-in is at 4pm.