Eoin Kelly as keen as ever as Tipperary look to evolve

The one match at a time mantra is obligatory at this time of the year, as the dangers of an upset occupy even the minds of those who – come September – hope to be around to lift the ultimate prize.

Take Eoin Kelly. You won't find him taking Limerick for granted as Tipperary, under new management and a fresh impetus, prepare to travel to the Gaelic Grounds for the Munster hurling semi-final.

A potential banana skin if ever there was one.

The close call of a year ago is too fresh in Tipperary minds to adopt any other approach. Kelly is as honest as they come.

“I think they (Limerick) should have won last year. But that’s dead and buried now,” he said.

This latest meeting will be a new page in the age-old rivalry between the two.

And Kelly is careful not to fall into the trap of associating the league with the championship. If the numbers stacked up, this should be a formality.

After all, Limerick failed to earn promotion from Division One B.

After all, Dublin – who beat Limerick in the Division One B final – were fodder for Tipperary in the league semi-final.

All things being equal, this should be a simple task of ticking a box. Surely?

Different atmosphere
"This is the Munster championship, everyone is up for it. There's a different atmosphere (to the league), a different hum around the place.

“In the stands. Walking down the street even. In the dressingroom. It is do or die like, there’s a massive prize on offer at the end of the game, playing in a Munster final, for both sets of players.

“That’s what you want, to be playing in another big game,” he said, adding: “Limerick’s curve is going up, no difference than Clare’s curve is going up. Limerick are going to win a big Munster Championship game soon, I just hope it’s not Sunday.

“They have a nice squad, they are putting a strong squad together, which is what you need. They are a very dangerous side. They went toe to toe with Kilkenny last year in their final game in the Championship.

“Knowing they had a good league run too, I know it’s Division One B, but that will go out the window on Sunday. They are a dangerous team and I just hope we can perform to the best of our abilities and get a win on Sunday.”

Kelly, who made his championship debut in 2000, retains a hunger and fervour abut also a willingness to evolve under whatever the new management want of him.

Work ethic
With Eamonn O'Shea – who has moved from coaching into the role of manager – now guiding Tipperary's hurling philosophy, Kelly admitted: "He wants players to move on, to evolve their game . . . some guys, maybe their work ethic mightn't be as good as other guys, and he wants their work ethic upped, so there's always new challenges thrown at you.

“That’s the one thing he’s focused on with us, to get more out of yourself. When you hear someone driving that home, it’s good.

“The game’s not just about getting scores, you’re constantly working and, if you’re not doing that, you’ll find you won’t be playing.”