LIMERICK look to book their place in a third successive Munster hurling final this Sunday, as they face Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds at 4pm. With a victory over Clare already secured, TJ Ryan sat down with PostSport this week to discuss the clash with Tipperary, where his Limerick side are looking for a three in a row win.
Looking back at the Clare game, are you still happy with the over performance?
It was a strange game really. Looking back on it, it was very chess-like early on. I credit our lads on the work they did. We got a lot of things right and we take great satisfaction from that. That is history now though and we have to prepare for the next game.
With the Clare game being so tight and with the past few Tipp games being the same, what can we expect from Sunday’s clash?
If you look at the championship as a whole, there is nothing between the sides and you need to be coming out on the right side of those tight games. It is a results based business and we know that. We came out of the right side of that game and I would take that again.
How much of a motivational issue will the ‘three in a row’ be for both sides?
If we are saying that this season’s league is history, then we have to admit that the last two seasons are history too. This is a new championship, it’s a new semi final. The prize is big for the winner. A place in a Munster final is a huge thing to be focused on. They are the current favorites for the All Ireland, so we are under no illusions. Our lads have worked hard and I would like to think we will improve from the last day. It’s a Munster semi final. There will be a huge home crowd, I am looking forward to it.
Does the fact Limerick have a game played help or hinder them, compared to a ‘fresher’ Tipperary?
You can argue both sides of the coin on this one. They would have had an extra month of training on us. It can be said that it is advantage us and it can be said that is will be an advantage to Tipperary too. We have to focus on the work we have done before Clare and also the work we have done since.
Does home advantage help in games like this?
It can be huge for us, if we make it count. There is an extra little bit of pressure there, but that is a good thing. I don’t think that the pressure will ever go away. We want to play in another Munster final.We are at home. We are playing one of the best teams in the country, so we need to go out and give these lads a good rattle.
Looking at the Clare game, how different is hurling and it’s tactics from your own playing days?
Huge change. It has gone to a different level. You just have to look at the two games in the championship so far this season to see that tactics are playing a huge role these days. That is the reality of the game. The ability to adapt is another thing. I think the days of playing just Plan ‘A’ are gone.
Finally, what is TJ Ryan like as a manager, before the game.
I’m more nervous as a manager. There is more responsibility there. It keeps me awake at night.
