Limerick clash first up is a ‘massive challenge’says Tipperary senior hurling captain Ronan Maher

TIPPERARY senior hurling captain Ronan Maher said their opening round Munster Senior Hurling Championship clash against Limerick will be a massive challenge for his side.Tipp are searching for their first victory over Limerick in the Munster Championship since 2016.

“There have been great games in the league and winning gives you belief going forward towards the championship. You can’t beat winning games. It has prepped us well for the Munster championship that’s going to be really difficult. Limerick in the first game is a massive challenge for us at home but one that we will look forward to,” Ronan Maher said.

It has been an impressive spring for Tipperary where they reached the Division 1A league decider. However, Cork defeated Tipp emphatically in the league decider. Darragh McCarthy, Oisin O'Donoghue, Sam O'Farrell and Robert Doyle are some of the younger players to impress for Tipp during the League.

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“They have really settled in, and not just Darragh McCarthy and Sam O’Farrell. There are three or four of the Under 20s who have really settled in and they have really driven the whole squad on. They’re a breath of fresh air, really.”

Maher feels it's important for Tipp to take one game at a time during the Munster SHC.

“Everybody knows how difficult the Munster championship is. If you go through a tough game, it’s about how quickly you can re-set and focus on the next game. It can really determine how your Munster championship fares.

“You can’t focus on a loss or a draw, even if it’s a win, you have to re-set quickly on the Monday or Tuesday, and focus on the next game. If you dwell too much on games, the whole Munster championship is over in a flash and you could be gone out of the championship.”

Liam Cahill's charges’ Munster Championship campaign ended in disappointment last year where they failed to win a game, securing a draw with Waterford.

“That’s one of the big learnings to take from the last few years, just to be able to re-set very quickly for the next game,” added Thurles Sarsfields clubman Ronan Maher.