Liam Cahill: Tipperary need to win silverware in 2024
Updated / Thursday, 1 Feb 2024 07:03
Can Tipp build on Liam Cahill's first year in charge of the Premier County?
RTÉ Sport contributor
After an initial year of progress, Liam Cahill says his Tipperary team need silverware as they embark on their 2024 campaign.
The Premier County supremo guided his side to an Allianz Hurling League semi-final and an All-Ireland quarter-final last year while integrating a wave of new talent into the set-up. That all means the bar is raised a notch this term.
"We made decent enough gains last year from where we were at so we need to see improvement this year," says Cahill.
"We want to be at least setting the target of going after the Munster Championship and winning that.
"And look, the reality of it is if we find ourselves in the closing stages of the league, we'll go after that as well. We have to when there’s silverware on offer. Tipperary needs it, this group of players need it, and that’s our aim.
"Every day we go out, we try to chase that and ultimately try to get into the last four of the All-Ireland and take it from there."
To that end, Tipperary will be treating the Allianz Hurling League seriously, beginning with their trip to Dublin on Saturday.
Cahill points out Tipp’s poor record at Parnell Park. The county’s last two visits ended in heavy defeats, losing their 2015 League opener by 12 points and their first game of 2010 by nine.
Dublin's Shane Durkin gets a shot away despite the attempted block of Cathal Barrett in the 2015 league encounter
Newly-appointed captain Ronan Maher was one of four current hurlers to play in that most recent Donnycarney demolition, alongside Cathal Barrett, Jason Forde, and Michael Breen.
"We need to be fully ready going up there. That’s going to be a tough assignment," warns Cahill.
"To answer the question, we’ll be going to Parnell Park all guns blazing with whatever 26 we name to get two points on the board.
"We’re serious about it because it’s a national competition and we’ve a good bit of work done since October.
"A lot of players have come into our squad, the lads have worked really hard, and now it’s a case of judging what we have seen in training and the few preparation matches we’ve had to date and putting together a squad capable of going to Parnell Park."
Cahill has trialled an array of fresh faces in January and insists he will take his time before finalising his squad.
Tipperary manager Liam Cahill has targeted silverware in 2024
"I’m not going to be in any rush naming it. People will see come match day.
"We have quite a number of players still in there, a lot of lads making it hard on us to get it down to the number that’s required, but you just don’t know with the way this league and championship is so condensed if you pick up a couple of injuries.
"Panels unfortunately have to be fairly sizeable to make sure that you’re getting your work in at training, making sure every night that you have 15 on 15 to play matches among yourselves."
The Fitzgibbon Cup is another complication for Cahill to juggle at this time of year.
"We have to be careful and mindful that they want to give the Fitzgibbon Cup a good go because it’s important to them. It’s a prestigious competition and we have to work with Fitzgibbon Cup managers.
"I’ll be picking my battles with the Fitzgibbon Cup guys to make sure that they’re not overly taxed and that they’re not going to run the risk of picking up injuries. But we still have to try and win these matches in the league as well."
Noel McGrath and Seamus Kennedy most likely won’t be considered for a return to action this weekend after long club campaigns.
Conor Stakelum is making his way back from injury, Barrett has picked up a minor soft-tissue strain, and corner-back Danny Slattery suffered a hamstring injury last weekend.
"I’d say we’ll have 80% of our squad available to us," Cahill concludes. "Maybe more."
