On Saturday June 10^th, the Tipperary footballers will travel to Páirc Uí Rinn to face Cork in the Munster semi-final with the prize a place in the Munster final.

Tipperary V Cork

Saturday, June 10th,

5pm

Páirc Uí Rinn

 

Tradition certainly is not on Tipperary’s side in this encounter with the sides having met on 48 occasions in the Munster championship with the head to head standing at fifteen victories for the Premier county, 31 for Cork with two draws. While fifteen victories are respectable, it must be noted fourteen of these occurred in the years prior to 1944 when Tipperary prevailed 1-9 to 1-3 in the Munster semi-final in Clonmel. Tipperary then had to wait 72 long years before emerging on the right side when last year, in dramatic fashion, two late Kevin O Halloran frees secured a 3-15 to 2-16 win. The overall score currently stands at Cork 74-389 Tipperary 50-247 (Cork +214)

 

Since then Tipperary had a fairytale campaign in the championship reaching the All-Ireland semi-final and secured promotion to Division Two in the league. Defeats to Sligo and Louth appeared to scupper our chances but a dramatic late goal from Michael Quinlivan, with just six seconds left on the referee’s watch, in the Athletic Grounds Armagh, shocked the hosts and sent the Tipperary fans delirious.

Tipperary can rightly approach this encounter with optimism but there are grounds for caution. Firstly, Cork have a championship game under their belt following their one point win over Waterford last weekend, 1-12 to 1-11. While they may have been disappointed in their performance there’s no substitute for championship matches to bring on a team. It should also be noted that Tipperary play a very different game to Waterford and their more open style will suit Cork better. Secondly, Tipperary will be without the services of several players from last year. Evan Comerford, Ciaran McDonald, Peter Acheson, Philip Austin, Ian Fahey, Kevin Fahey, Willie Connors, Liam Casey and Joe Hennessy are all ruled out for various reasons while Colm O Shaughnessy and Emmett Moloney have only recently returned to training and will unlikely be up to the pace of the game at this stage.

A large crowd are expected to attend the game and two supporter’s buses have been laid on. The first will leave Thurles at 13.45, Horse and Jockey at 2pm, Cashel at 14.15 before travelling onto Cahir for 14.30. If you would like to reserve your seat on this particular bus please contact 086 833 4553.

A second bus which will serve Roscrea, Templemore and all surrounding areas, has also been organised. If you would like to travel on this bus contact 086 326 0996.

As demand for seats on both buses is expected to be huge, early booking is advised.

If you would like to purchase tickets please click here.

Brian McDonnell of the Tipperary Star has conducted two great interviews with Liam Kearns and Brian Fox ahead of this weekend’s clash. If you would like to read Liam’s interview please click here and if you would like to read Brian’s interview please click here.

The Tipperary team is expected to be announced this Friday evening at 9pm.

In other news both Kevin Hanly and Colm O Shaughnessy attended the AONTAS AGM 2017 where Kevin gave an account of his life and growing up with Autism and how his friendship with the Tipperary footballers have enhanced his life. AONTAS “were blown away by inspiring learners from the SAOL Project and a learner panel discussion that included Kevin Hanly National Learning Network, Imani Tutu Cavan & Monaghan Education and Training Board, Joy Tendai-Kangare UCD ALL and Noeleen Watson Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB.” Well done Kevin.