‘Tipp can’t afford to lose to Cats again’
JACKIE TYRELL insists Tipperary are under far greater pressure to win today’s Allianz Hurling League final than opponents Kilkenny. While a win would signal a breakthrough result for Brian Cody’s new-look team, Tyrell argues that Tipp’s poor record against the Cats in big matches makes this a game they can’t afford to lose. It is 50 years since Tipperary last defeated Kilkenny in a National League decider, while today’s game marks the 10th time the counties will have clashed in a national final in the last 10 years, with Tipperary winning just twice.
‘There is that stigma hanging over Tipperary,’ says Tyrell.
‘Even though Kilkenny are not in the strongest place when compared to years gone by, they are still struggling to beat us.
‘Look at the game in Nowlan Park this year when Kilkenny were supposed to be on the rocks and Tipp still could not get over the line.
‘That bit of a hoodoo is still there and it is important for Tipperary to come to Nowlan Park, put on a performance and win so that if they do meet Kilkenny later in the year that psychological cloud is not hanging over them, ’ added the nine-time All-Ireland winner.