GAELIC GAMES:THERE IS no guarantee that Tipperary will replicate the sensational form that has seen them overcome Limerick, Kerry and then Cork in the Munster final. That is mainly because Roscommon will probably not allow them to.
We saw something very special from the Connacht champions in their last visit to Croke Park when they stormed past Armagh in extra-time. The value of that experience cannot be overstated.
Their huge midfielder Tom Corcoran ultimately provided the killer blow from a placed ball but the scoring prowess of full forward Donie Smith must also be noted.
Tipperary manager David Power spoke this week of his disgust at the disadvantage his players must face having been denied a chance to train on the Croke Park pitch. Power reopened this debate by stating how professional soccer and rugby teams were afforded this opportunity when the stadium was being rented out by the FAI and IRFU.
He has a genuine point but the response given remains the same: rules are rules.
Tipperary went and defeated Meath in their All-Ireland quarter-final away from the main stage but it was still further confirmation of their quality.
There are six dual players now concentrating purely on football, which is a rarity in Tipperary as they had not won a Munster football title since 1995.
Senior hurling sensation Noel McGrath will have a particular interest in this fixture as his brother John and cousin Liam are both part of this formidable panel.
The rise of football in Tipperary coincides with hurling development at underage and in the schools but this is no fluke.
The fingerprints of John Evans are all over their progress. They have won provincial titles at under-15, under-16 and under-17 before the minor breakthrough when Cork were convincingly beaten, 3-11 to 1-9.
The scoring return of TJ Ryan and contributions from the likes of wing forward Greg Henry could see them reach their first minor All-Ireland football final since 1984. Interestingly, they lost back then to Dublin who may well provide the opposition in this year’s decider.
However, Roscommon appear to have another team, just five years on, to compare with Donie Shine’s All-Ireland winners.
On that premise, Roscommon to progress.
ROSCOMMON: TBA.
TIPPERARY: E Comerford; N O’Sullivan, J Meagher, C O’Sullivan; C O’Riordan, D Fitzelle, S Kennedy; S O’Brien, I Fahey; G Henry, P Quirke, B Maher; L McGrath, M Quinlivan, TJ Ryan.
Referee: D Brazil (Offaly).
