Tipp v Armagh live on Tipp FM-Saturday 5 pm with Killian Whelan and Conor O Dwyer.
By Stephen Gleeson
Tipp go into this one on the back of an important win against Cavan on their home turf. Victory against the Ulster team signalled progress within the group and gives Tipp an opportunity to go on a run similar to last year where the team develops and grows along the way.
Since the victory in Croke Park over Louth this spring Tipp have been rocked with a series of injury concerns that came sharply into focus before, during and after the Cork game. Liam Kearns described the injury list to Tipp FM as “the worst I’ve seen in 20 years of management “. The most talked about on the wounded list has been Michael Quinlivan.
The All Star scored the winning goal against Armagh in the league encounter to send Tipp to the league final at Croker and subsequently division 2 football next spring.
The injury list lessened our options against Cork but having the Commercials player available for the last 15 minutes against Cavan meant that the other Tipp forwards could profit in the space created by the close marking of Quinlivan by the Cavan defence.
Now its back to the future and Kieran McGeeney’s crew arrive on the horizon on the back of a win against Westmeath and the bounce that they have beaten Tipp in a recent challenge match. That win provided scant solace for the Orchid County as Tipp won the league encounter but the Premier will be wary of the threat posed by players of the quality of Jamie Clarke and Stefan Campbell.
There is serious quality on the Tipp side too. Bill Maher and Brian Fox cover huge kilometres per game for Tipp, way above the average. Josh Keane, Liam Casey and Jimmy Feehan are young players of quality that look well at home on the big stage. Robbie Kiely and Conor Sweeney are capable of turning a game in their favour with a sidestep.
Ciaran Kendrick has proved himself to be a top class keeper in the absence of the magnificent Evan Comerford. For all the players they have lost, all the knocks and setbacks, Tipp football just keeps getting stronger.
Armagh will travel southwards confident and in bright colours for this one. Brian Fox’s crew will hold firm and will be truly glad of the home town support, the more vocal the better for the blue and gold. It’s going to be close and its going to be decided in the last ten minutes once again. We have the grit, the spirit and the honesty to win it. Wouldn’t it be great to have a massive Tipp cheer as our All Star enters the fray down the home straight..
I spoke with Tipp coach Shane Stapleton this week
And Tipp FM will have full live coverage of the Round 3 B Qualifier in Association with Jim Strang and Sons, Kilsheelan, main Peugeot dealers.
CAMOGIE- Tipp v Wexford 3.45pm Saturday- Updates from Geraldine Kinane on Tipp FM
Here we go again, another vital juncture as the cliff gets steeper by the game for the camogie team. Cait Devane, Megan Ryan and co did everything they could against Limerick but a two point victory left them back at square one after all their efforts.
Win in Wexford and the season can still be extended. Third in their group will march on to the quarter finals and while its a tough task to win by the Slaney, there’s no doubt Brian Boyles team will embrace the task at hand.
Toomevara’s Denis Kelly is coaching this team and they play with a style that’s effective and great to watch. The team is well prepared and at its best are a match for anybody. Players of the calibre of Cait Devane, Megan Ryan and Orla O’Dwyer are potential match winners.
Roisin Howard is nursing an injury but if she’s fit to start she will threaten the Wexford goal. Last weekend Roisin collected a winners medal playing with the Tipp Ladies footballers and she would dearly love to continue the winning streak on Saturday.
Tipp beat Wexford in the league in Enniscorthy earlier this year but an agonising one point defeat last summer to the same opposition will be fresh in the minds of the Tipp players. That was at the All Ireland quarter final stage, win Saturday and there’s a chance to get to this years quarter finals and from there who knows where the season could go.
I spoke with manager Brian Boyle and Gemma Grace this week
And Tipp FM will have live updates from Wexford Innovate Park with throw in at 3.45
