Latest news with #LiamCahill
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Tipp's senior starlets in safe hands with goalkeeping great Cummins
Into the safe hands of Brendan Cummins Tipperary's senior starlets have gone these past couple of weeks and the U20 manager is indebted to Liam Cahill. That may sound unusual seeing as the likes of Darragh McCarthy, Oisín O'Donoghue and Sam O'Farrell are fully qualified for the underage grade and an All-Ireland medal is on offer on Saturday, but Cummins considers them on loan from his old team-mate Cahill. 'No egos,' he says of their working relationship. 'That's a big help. They're senior hurlers in my view, the lads that we have, and we get them back to play U20 and we're very grateful. 'The biggest test was the Munster final with Sam O'Farrell and there was no way his workload would allow him to play three games in six or seven days. We were grateful that we had access to Sam for 15 minutes at the end of the game. 'The senior team is the priority team, like, and I know that from being part of it. Our job is to get players as quickly as possible through our experience ready to play senior hurling for Liam Cahill in the next couple of years. 'That is the job description, and if in the middle of that we can win something, great. The longer we stay in the championship, the more time we have with the players and the more time we have to develop them. 'We have got to the end of the road with them now the last two years, which has given us an extra couple of weeks of preparing for the big occasion and that experience helps. Every game in senior hurling is a big occasion. 'Me and Liam have a great relationship. There's never any hassle, never any problems because we're both driving to make sure Tipperary have the best players ready to play for the seniors and they're the flagship team.' If last year's Munster title and All-Ireland final appearance came against the head, this season's achievements haven't. And yet after losing to Limerick on opening day, it appeared expectations had swallowed them up. Cummins and his management team of Thomas Costello, Fintan O'Connor and Paddy Stapleton asked the players, 'What are you going to do about it?' The winning run that's followed has been quite the response. 'You want to build that bit of character and resolve. The group have a lot of that themselves so we wouldn't be taking a major credit for that, but the experience that we have from Fintan, Paddy and Tom has been helpful. They have seen all the highs and lows and the conversations they had with the players after the Limerick game certainly helped them to recalibrate for the next challenge, which was Cork away. 'Like everyone else, we were wondering, 'What's going on here?' and Limerick were way better than us on the night, the way they fought and chased. So, there were lessons to be learned. A bad experience is no good unless you learn from it and the group as a whole all learned from that night.' Kilkenny have home advantage for this final but the crowds are back for Tipperary hurling. 'I'm sure Tipp supporters will come and get behind the players because there is a little bit of momentum building but sport is very fickle,' warns Cummins. 'You have to keep building. You can't ever rest. You're all the time trying to get more out of yourself. 'The senior hurlers, I know what they have been doing in the background, I know what Liam went through last year inside and outside the county. I'm delighted for him now that things are going well for him and the players have responded. There is momentum and it's our turn now to try and push it on a little bit.' Cummins predicts Kilkenny will put in a ferocious challenge. 'I'm anticipating huge physicality, great structure in the way they play. Mark Dowling has done a massive amount of work with them and they will have a lot of hurt from last year when they lost to Offaly in Tullamore. They would have been disappointed with how it went like we were in the All-Ireland final. 'Both sides are well-matched physically and the way they are prepared to play and certainly Kilkenny handled Leinster really well. Dublin were coming into that final having beaten Offaly and Galway and were on a real high and Kilkenny just quenched them. Even in the first half against the wind and before the sending off, they were five or six up. There is going to be nothing in this game.'
RTÉ News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Tipperary far from finished article but going in right direction
Liam Cahill paid tribute to his Tipperary players after they put the misery of 2024 behind them by securing progression from Munster with a hard-fought win over Waterford. This time last year, the Premier had already been eliminated, and they finished Cahill's second season in charge with just one point from four games. But Sunday's 1-30 to 1-21 victory at Semple Stadium ensured they finish with a five-point haul, the only defeat coming at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, where they played the whole game with 14 men after Darragh McCarthy's dismissal. Tipp could even contest a first provincial final in four years if the Déise can get a result against Cork next weekend. "We're still far from the finished article but we're going the right direction," Cahill told RTÉ Sport, "It has been difficult enough at times. But the key here is the players: the way they have gone about their business, in fixing little areas that weren't where we needed to be 12 months ago. "A lot of transition in the squad as well, with newer players et cetera. But a few experienced heads still there to keep the culture that's required to play at this level. "We're fortunate that there's plenty of talent in Tipperary. Our Under-20s [retaining Munster] during the week… It's a really difficult job to make sure you're not pushing these lads too soon. "I said from the start of the National League that it was going to have be a brave year for Tipp, from the top right through to the players, management and coaches. "Thankfully, fortune favours the brave. We're delighted to be one of the three out of Munster. Congratulations to everybody that has been involved." Match highlights: Noel McGrath has won three All-Ireland medals and four Munsters but he admitted it was "a special moment". "There's no point in playing it down," said the 34-year-old. "Twelve months ago we were in a totally different place. "The way everyone has rolled up their sleeves this year and come back, got to where we are now, we are delighted. "Your aim is to get out of Munster. It's so hard, it's so competitive." Tipp shipped an early goal to go 1-03 to 0-01 down against Waterford, and it looked like the visitors would extend an unbeaten streak in this fixture dating back to 2019. But they fought back to lead 0-16 to 1-10 by half-time, and pulled clear again after the visitors had drawn level with 20 minutes remaining. "The resilience of our team, sticking to the plan, we were able to figure our way out of it and at times hurling our way through it," said Cahill. "Michael Beavins, Declan Laffan, [former Kilkenny goalkeeper] David Herity, coaching on the field has been exemplary this year. "There has been total buy-in from the players and most importantly total trust. "The players now are taking brilliant ownership on the field and I think the supporters in the stand are acknowledging that too. "When they look at a group of players representing the jersey like that, it gives everybody a lift." Waterford manager Peter Queally said he was "very disappointed" his team "didn't kick on after the great start that we had." "We had massive aspirations coming into this game. Our form was really good. Unfortunately, on the day, we just came up against a better Tipperary team. I thought they were excellent. "We probably missed a lot of chances in the first half. Our conversion rate wasn't high and I felt they took all their chances. That was probably the difference in the end. "We had momentum, we brought it back level and had the elements at our back. But in fairness to Tipperary, they were in the same position last week [against Clare] and they upped the ante and got the deserved win in the end." His team are still in it, however - beat Cork for a second successive year and they will take their highly fancied hosts' knock-out place. And both sides will have had the same amount of recovery time, unlike when Waterford had to face a better-rested Limerick six days after their win over Clare. "Whether you win or lose, you can't dwell on it," said Queally. "Cork are going to be in the exact same boat, seven days to turn around. The playing field will be level and it should be a great game next Sunday."
Irish Examiner
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Tipperary finally turn the page on a painful chapter
Munster SHC: Tipperary 1-30 Waterford 1-21 The past has lifted. The pessimism has lifted. Tipperary aren't so much through as they are out the far side of a most painful chapter. A week ago in Ennis, Liam Cahill's emotion was uncaged at the final whistle. A season-surviving victory was met with trademark fist-pumping and one relieved leap into the summer. Yesterday at home stirred a different reaction. This season-extending victory was met with a long embrace between himself and Mikey Bevans. Two men who soldiered and struggled together in recent years. Two men for whom the page has finally turned and pressure lifted. Before Ennis, the pair's Tipp record stood at one win from 10 Munster championship outings. Tipp's record on the whole was one win from their last 15 Munster championship outings. All those ugly sequences have tumbled. All those ugly stats have been levelled to the ground. Tipp are through, their slate pristinely cleaned. Yesterday represented a first championship win over Waterford since May of 2019. A first championship win at home since June of 2019. A first set of back-to-back championship wins since later that same 2019 summer. But most importantly, and superseding all of the above, is that Tipperary are booked in for the All-Ireland series. Tipp cannot be dislodged from Munster's top three during a final round which they'll watch with feet up and smile fixed. 'The players have embraced everything we've done and just really, really proud that they've got their reward,' said Cahill. 'We're finding little gains, little green shoots coming all the time. But we do know now that there's an adherence to the jersey that has to be applied every day and the Tipperary public will have no problem whatsoever once they see a hard-working Tipperary team fighting for everything on offer.' This wasn't work ethic alone and yet their application was ferocious. To hone in on such is not simplistic, it's necessary. Waterford's nine first-half wides were self-inflicted, their turnover count less so. Tipp enforced relentless pressure. Late in the half and on the Ryan Stand sideline, Willie Connors twice stood up Tadhg de Búrca. Seán Stack deemed Connors' tackling illegal. The crowd did not. They chanted 'Tipp, Tipp, Tipp'. Shane Bennett's late goal attempt was blocked by Mikey Breen. Robert Doyle, in the other corner, had long seen off Dessie Hutchinson. Ronan Maher, in front of his own goal, plucked possession from the sky later again. The No.6 had long seen off Mikey Kiely. Outside of Jamie Barron, no forward in white owned their patch. Waterford remain rooted to their opening afternoon two points. Unless this round-robin goes where none of the previous five have in delivering a second win, then this round-robin will go the way of the previous five. They had initially roared. After the 10-minute delay came flowing freneticism. Throw-in was pushed back to 2.10pm. The crowds were still pouring in. Once seated, the scores poured in. Three inside 70 seconds. Eleven seconds is all it took Stephen Bennett to surpass Paul Flynn as Waterford's all-time leading championship scorer. Barron with the delivery, Bennett with catch and history-making green flag finish. His 12-218 one point better than Flynn's 24-181. A Mikey Kiely point on 39 seconds had the visitors four ahead. Jake Morris clipped his first of four opening half points on 69 seconds. It was the sole interruption to Waterford's hurried start. Barron and Kevin Mahony pushed the Déise 1-3 to 0-1 ahead inside three and a half minutes. Barron was fouled not long after. Bennett should have sent Waterford six clear. Instead the free dropped short. Their ferocious start would give way to a misfiring half. Nine wides and two more short. Bennett didn't convert his first free until the 28th minute - at the fourth attempt. Outside of this opening and third quarter six-in-a-row to bring them level, Tipp were superior. Jason Forde cut over sidelines and the returning Darragh McCarthy went 11 from 12 frees. Outside them, Andrew Ormond and Jake Morris were two best friends in a creche. They were having their fun and nobody was stopping them. Ormond brought them level for the first time on 17 minutes. Ormond assisted Jake to nudge them in front for the first time four minutes later. Their lead was three-strong at the break, 0-16 to 1-10, and grew three more when Ormond was fouled for a pair of converted frees and clipped another himself. Tipp followed Waterford's six-in-a-row with six of their own before a pair of younger kids again had their fun. Oisín O'Donoghue, the 1-3 hero of Wednesday's Munster U20 final win, added fresh polish to his burgeoning status with a goal from his first touch on 68 minutes. The assist came from fellow U20 McCarthy. It was part of a finish where they outgunned the neighbours 1-4 to 0-1. Bruce Springsteen's 'Glory Days' greeted the final whistle. No glory yet, but certainly no gloom. Those days are behind them. Scorers for Tipperary: D McCarthy (0-11, 0-11 frees); J Morris (0-4); J Forde (0-2 sc), E Connolly (0-2 frees), A Ormond (0-3 each); O O'Donoghue (1-1); J McGrath (0-2); S O'Farrell, N McGrath, S Kenneally (0-1 each). Scorers for Waterford: Stephen Bennett (1-9, 0-7 frees); J Barron (0-4); M Kiely (0-2); P Leavey, D Lyons (0-1 sc), K Mahony, D Hutchinson, P Fitzgerald, S Walsh (0-1). TIPPERARY: R Shelly; M Breen, E Connolly, R Doyle; C Morgan, R Maher, B O'Mara; W Connors, S O'Farrell; C Stakelum, A Ormond, J Morris; J McGrath, D McCarthy, J Forde. SUBS: D Stakelum for Connors (temporary, 47-51); N McGrath for C Stakelum (51); D Stakelum for O'Farrell (52); S Kenneally for J McGrath (56); O O'Donoghue for Forde (68); S Kennedy for Morgan (70). WATERFORD: B Nolan; I Daly, I Kenny, C Prunty; P Leavey, T de Búrca, M Fitzgerald; G Fives, D Lyons; J Prendergast, M Kiely, K Mahony; D Hutchinson, J Barron, Stephen Bennett. SUBS: Patrick Fitzgerald for Mahony (46); Shane Bennett for Fives (55); P Curran for Kiely (60); S Walsh for Hutchinson (65); T Barron for Daly (72). Referee: S Stack (Dublin).
Irish Independent
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Liam Cahill: ‘Embarrassment' of last year sparked Tipperary's progress to All-Ireland play-offs
Tipperary hurling manager Liam Cahill has hailed their progress to the All-Ireland play-offs with an admission that he and his players were "embarrassed" by their 2024 work and used that feeling as a catalyst to make changes.
Irish Times
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Tipperary overcome nightmare start to overwhlem Waterford and qualify from Munster
Munster SHC round 4: Tipperary 1-30 Waterford 1-21 A couple of minutes before the end, Liam Cahill threw his hands in the air at the latest mini-injustice visited upon his side by referee Seán Stack. He spun on his heel and turned to the crowd, chuntering away to himself and to nobody, only stopping when his consigliere Mikey Bevans patted him on the belly. The pair of them fell into a smile. A sure sign the job was done. They were superior to Waterford here, probably even more so than the nine-point margin suggests. Certainly, they felt the pointier end of Stack's stick on occasion and could have had two penalties. Even Waterford manager Peter Queally more or less conceded as much afterwards. 'We rode our luck with black cards and penalties,' he said. Regardless, Tipperary have achieved escape velocity and are the first team qualified from Munster. Incredibly, this was their first championship win in Thurles since 2019. It was their first back-to-back win in Munster since that summer too. Also, this snaps a four-game winless streak against Waterford, the longest such stretch in this fixture since the counties first met in 1902. It was badly needed, in other words. Afterwards, Cahill talked about the embarrassment he felt last year as the Tipp minors won their All-Ireland, the sting of watching a group of 16- and 17-year-olds fight on their backs in a way he felt his group hadn't. READ MORE Tipperary's Willie Connors in action against Paddy Leavey of Waterford during the game in Thurles. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho 'We just didn't represent that jersey correctly last year. We just didn't,' he said. 'The reality of it is that there are big standards here in Tipperary. Always have been. And when you don't adhere to them, there's consequences. Yes, we're in a transition period here in Tipperary and we're rebuilding but we won't be able to play that card forever. 'And I'll be the first to admit that there'll come a stage where I stand in front of you fellas, please God, and be able to say the transition is over and it's time to deliver now. But we're finding it again. There's green shoots coming all the time.' They had to overcome a slow start, after coughing up a goal to Stephen Bennett after just 12 seconds. Jamie Barron's shot dropped in the Tipp square and with Mickey Breen caught the wrong side, Waterford's record scorer turned and buried his finish. Waterford were relentless in that opening phase, rattling off a score a minute to lead 1-3 to 0-1 with just four minutes on the clock. Bennett missed his first three frees as well, otherwise it would have been more. But there's a resilience to this iteration of Tipperary that has been lacking for the past while. Over the rest of the opening half, they outscored Waterford by 0-15 to 0-7. Their defence, led by Bryan O'Mara and Ronan Maher, started to contaminate any ball that came into the Waterford attack. Up front, Andrew Ormond and Jake Morris were eddying around the place unbound. Jason Forde split the posts with sideline cuts from both wings. Waterford had nothing like that kind of chutzpah in their ranks. Tipp led by 0-16 to 1-10 at the break and proceeded to ease clear after the restart. Darragh McCarthy was faultless on the frees all day and when he did drop one short, Eoghan Connolly took over from distance and landed a mile of points. Ten minutes into the second half, Cahill's side were six points up and apparently cruising. But then, out of nowhere, Waterford mustered a challenge. They reeled off six points in a row – two of them from the only throw balls called by the referee all day. The Tipp crowd did not love that. They were even less appreciative on 54 minutes, when McCarthy was straight through on goal and got pulled down by Ian Kenny. Tipperary's Willie Connors looks to block Darragh Lyons of Waterford during the game in Thurles. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho What looked like a clearcut black card and penalty only resulted in a free and a yellow. The only leeway you could maybe give the referee was that McCarthy had lost his hurley and was 20 metres from goal, so perhaps it wasn't a clearcut goalscoring opportunity. But it looked for all the world a stonewall example of why the rule was brought in. Either way, Tipp were starting to turn the screw again. Waterford's six-on-the-spin had drawn them level with just over a quarter of an hour to go but Cahill's side knuckled down from there and saw it out. Noel McGrath came off the bench to whip a score, Forde got the whole place on its feet with a sublime point over his shoulder, McCarthy kept paying the bills from dead ball. When substitute Oisín O'Donoghue found the bottom corner of the Waterford net with his first touch on 67 minutes, the day was done. TIPPERARY: Rhys Shelly; Robert Doyle, Eoghan Connolly (0-3, 2f), Michael Breen; Sam O'Farrell (0-1), Ronan Maher, Bryan O'Mara; Willie Connors, Craig Morgan; Conor Stakelum, Andrew Ormond (0-3), Jake Morris (0-4); Darragh McCarthy (0-11, 11f), John McGrath (0-2), Jason Forde (0-3, 0-2 sl). Subs: Darragh Stakelum for Connors (blood, 47-52 mins); Noel McGrath (0-1) for C Stakelum, D Stakelum for O'Farrell (both 51); Seán Kenneally (0-1) for J McGrath (57); Oisín O'Donoghue (1-1) for Forde (68); Séamus Kennedy for Morgan (70). WATERFORD: Billy Nolan; Ian Kenny, Conor Prunty, Iarlaith Daly; Mark Fitzgerald, Tadhg De Búrca, Gavin Fives; Paddy Leavey (0-1), Darragh Lyons (0-1, sl); Stephen Bennett (1-9, 7f), Kevin Mahony (0-1), Jamie Barron (0-4); Jack Prendergast, Mikey Kiely (0-2), Dessie Hutchinson (0-1). Subs: Patrick Fitzgerald (0-1) for Mahony (46 mins); Shane Bennett for Fives (56); Patrick Curran for Kiely (61); Seán Walsh (0-1) for Hutchinson (66); Tom Barron for Daly (71). Referee: Seán Stack (Dublin).
