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Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Jake Morris: 'The manner of some of the defeats last year wasn't acceptable'
When Liam Cahill spoke last month about he and the Tipperary players being 'embarrassed' at the county's All-Ireland minor final win over Kilkenny, it was eye-opening. As a 13-man Tipperary pulled off a famous extra-time win, what should have been a joyous day for anyone affiliated with the blue and gold was a bittersweet one for the members of the county's flagship group. For Cahill, Jake Morris and others, it exacerbated their sense of disappointment after failing to get out of the Munster SHC the previous month. 'I was down in Nowlan Park myself that day and there's no point in saying it, we were embarrassed walking around,' recalls Morris. 'Players are in the trenches. You have to go to work, you can't hide away. We were in the trenches after last year. We had to deal with it face on and take our constructive criticism and move on and look in the mirror. 'There was a lot of soul-searching done over the winter. A lot of hard looks in the mirror and seeing what can be done more. To be fair, lads have done it and so have the management team. They have come with us every way in this journey. 'It hasn't been pointed just at the players, they've taken on the flack as well and together as a unit, we've worked hard and we've got ourselves into this situation now where we're still alive in the championship and that's ultimately what we aim for.' Read More Jarlath Burns defends GAA's fixtures body in wake of Donegal criticism In those tigerish Tipperary teenagers, Morris took inspiration. Another All-Ireland final loss after the U20s fell to Offaly in Nowlan Park earlier that June would have been rough but the afterglow of the minors's achievement was lengthy. It was something of a turning point too, Morris concurs. 'It was in terms of looking at a team that fought on their backs together, a united team, a good battling Tipperary team, that never-say-die attitude. That's what was taken away that day. 'We never mind losing games and any of the boys there will tell you, you never mind losing a game as long as you've shown up and you've performed and you've fought on your back and you can come away together on the bus afterwards and you can look at each other. 'The manner of some of the (senior) defeats last year wasn't acceptable. That's where there was a bit of lessons taken from looking at 16 and 17-year-olds performing last year in Nowlan Park.' Morris isn't sure there was a similar seminal moment for the seniors this year even though they emerged from the province. 'I suppose getting to the league final was nice. Drawing against Limerick probably did plant the seed with a lot of Tipp supporters that, 'Ok these lads, they mean business, they're competitive again' but I don't think there was exactly one moment.' Jake Morris of Tipperary is tackled by Cian Galvin and David McInerney of Clare during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile. What's certain is the Tipperary supporters are back behind their team in strong numbers having been away for a while. 'It's massive,' says the Nenagh Éire Óg man. 'You're down the home straight of a match down in Ennis and in Semple Stadium the last day against Waterford and you hear the chanting going, 'Tipp, Tipp, Tipp' and you know that they're going to roar you out over the line. 'All Tipperary supporters are very fair, they just want to see a team that are battling hard and giving it their all and that's what we're doing this year and that's why they're getting behind us now, because it's a team that they can enjoy going to watch.' But Morris doesn't lose sight of the fact that it's about the wins. A fourth straight SHC victory in Limerick this Saturday and what would be a first in four SHC meetings against Galway will earn Tipperary a first appearance in Croke Park since their 2019 All-Ireland final success. 'If you're not winning games, the morale is down. We got a couple of pats on the backs for our second half performance against Cork, but a pat on the back is no good to us at that level. "It's a points business, so it's all about results and from here on in it's about results and performance and that's what we're going to be judged off.'
BreakingNews.ie
11-06-2025
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Cian Lynch and Jarlath Burns feel replays are preferable to penalties
Limerick captain Cian Lynch and GAA president Jarlath Burns have both said replays would be preferable to penalties after Cork's dramatic shootout victory in the Munster SHC final. Lynch doesn't think a penalty shootout was the right way to decide the epic encounter. Advertisement The Limerick captain watched on from the sidelines as his team lost 3-2 in the shootout as Cork claimed the Mick Mackey Cup at the Gaelic Grounds. Lynch feels a replay or additional periods of extra-time are preferable to matches going to penalties. GAA president Jarlath Burns has called on the association to consider a return to replays for drawn provincial finals. Speaking to Newstalk, Lynch said: "I think everyone noticed that when it came to penalties it sucked the life out of the game side of it really, after an intense 90 minutes. Advertisement Sport All-Ireland SFC: What's at stake in the final roun... Read More "For the five lads on both sides who stepped up to take the penalties, great credit to those guys. It's not something as players you practice a lot. "I think hurling is in a great place and with all counties, everyone is pushing as much as they can, and I think for the supporters wouldn't they have loved an extra five or 10 minutes of extra-time? Maybe a replay... but take nothing away from Cork, they got the victory." Burns told Newstalk: "I definitely think that any review should consider the possibility of replays, particularly in provincial finals. I just think that was such a game of drama, it was just a pity the way it ended. "The Armagh-Donegal game could have gone the same way. I am totally in favour of replays."
Irish Examiner
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Cian Lynch: Penalties no way to decide 'instinctive art form' like hurling
As a losing captain, Cian Lynch is careful not to show disrespect to Cork but he didn't think penalties was an appropriate way of deciding Saturday's Munster SHC final. If it's any help, Galway's Fintan Burke chimes in to support Limerick's two-time hurler of the year but for Lynch penalties just ain't hurling. 'Look, it's something to obviously review,' says the Patrickswell man. 'Penalties… like, hurling is so instinctive. It's an art form, it's an expression. Why do people play it? It's because it's a 15-man game. It's a chance to have a man on the shoulder to support. 'But when it comes to penalties, other than the five guys and the goalie, I suppose you're helpless standing on the sideline watching. It's tough for guys, but it is what it is.' With a wound over his left eye, Lynch was off the field and replaced by Diarmaid Byrnes so wasn't available to be a penalty shooter. He doubts he would have been approached by John Kiely to step up anyway. 'If you were asked to take one, I'm sure 100% you'd do anything you can to help the team, but I wouldn't be someone that's known to stand over a free or a penalty, to be honest with you. 'Obviously, our guys, the five Limerick lads, the same as Cork obviously and Nickie [Quaid] to step up, that takes some courage. After playing 70 to 90 minutes of hurling, to have it based on standing over a penalty, that is tough. That is some responsibility.' Lynch admits not knowing how the game would be decided after the sides couldn't be separated after extra-time. 'I suppose in my own head initially, you think there's going to be an extra five minutes each half. Because that's the way it was before, wasn't it? But I suppose when it's said it's penalties, you just accept that and that's obviously the way it is.' Would Lynch have taken another day out in Cork going into that penalty shootout? 'Yeah, of course you would. Sure you love playing the sport. I suppose there are pros and cons to either. 'I suppose it's not for me to make a point or make a comment on what's the right thing to do but you'd love to have another crack at it. Any team would. But for us, it's just about accepting that that's in the past now. We unfortunately didn't win and Cork did.' St Thomas's man Burke had a penalty saved but came out of the right side of a shootout in an All-Ireland semi-final win over Ballygunner in December 2023. He prefers a second bite of the cherry. 'If you win, great, and if you lose, it's the worst thing in the world. We had played Ballygunner two years ago and obviously delighted we won, but at the same time I'd be of the opinion of replay. 'I don't think penalties are a fair reflection on where a team is at, as in you could have five great penalty takers and maybe the other team only has three, and it's not really reflecting on hurling throughout the team. 'People just think you're standing up hitting a shot, but you've to put so much energy in and it's probably a lot more mentally you're exhausted and you have to walk the 60 yards then on your own and there's a lot going through your mind. 'People just at home, a lot of people and a lot of hurlers on the ditch just see a lad walking up taking a 21, they think it's nothing, but there's a lot more going on obviously inside the lad's head that's taking it and there's a lot more like the pressure of a Munster final in penalties is very hard for the taker.' As novel and unusual as the finish was, Lynch fully accepts Limerick were beaten. 'No, it's still a defeat. Obviously, you look at the time played and so on, neither team won and it went to penalties and that's just the way it was. 'You obviously are disappointed. You see an opposition collecting a trophy and celebrating with their fans and stuff. That's tough to take. You just have to dust yourself off, regroup, process that feeling and try to drive on again.'
The Irish Sun
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Cian Lynch reveals he had no idea penalties were coming before Munster final heartbreak against Cork
LIMERICK skipper Cian Lynch only learned that the Munster SHC final would be settled on penalties when the teams were still deadlocked after extra-time. Twelve months after they became the first team ever to win six Mick Mackey Cups on the spin, the Treaty's part in the making of 2 Cian Lynch reveals he had no idea the Munster SHC final was heading to penalties 2 Limerick captain Lynch and Limerick were gutted after the defeat to Cork on Saturday Their provincial title was relinquished on Saturday following a defeat to Lynch said: 'It's something we're not used to. On the winning side of it, you're delighted with it. It's great credit to Cork. "They got the victory in penalties and the game could have gone either way. "Look, it's something to obviously review. Penalties… like, hurling is so instinctive. It's an art form, it's an expression. READ MORE ON GAA "Why do people play it? It's because it's a 15-man game. It's a chance to have a man on the shoulder to support. "But when it comes to penalties, other than the five guys and the goalie, I suppose you're helpless standing on the sideline watching. It's tough for guys, but it is what it is." Cork ran out 3-2 winners in the shootout at the TUS Gaelic Grounds. But Lynch expected more extra-time to be played after Darragh Fitzgibbon landed a '65 to bring Cork back to level terms with what turned out to be the last puck of open play. Most read in GAA Hurling He said: "I suppose in my own head initially, you think there's going to be an extra five minutes each half because that's the way it was before, wasn't it? "But I suppose when it's said it's penalties, you just accept that and that's obviously the way it is." GAA fans 'loved seeing and hearing' the late Micheal O Muircheartaigh as he features in RTE documentary Hell for Leather Lynch admits that even at the end of extra-time, he would have preferred to settle the final via a replay in Cork instead. The two-time Hurler of the Year, who made way for Diarmaid Byrnes just before the shootout, insisted: "Of course you would. You love playing the sport. "There are pros and cons to either. I suppose it's not for me to make a point or make a comment on what's the right thing to do, but you'd love to have another crack at it. "Any team would. But for us, it's just about accepting that that's in the past now." Lynch explained that he 'wouldn't be someone that's known to stand over a free or a penalty' when quizzed about his own absence from Limerick's quintet of penalty takers. Although the teams could not be separated following more than 90 minutes of hurling, he also rejected the suggestion that it was ultimately a game Speaking as Limerick's representative at the All-Ireland SHC launch at Offaly's Faithful Fields, Lynch said: "It's still a defeat. Obviously you look at the time played and so on. "Neither team won and it went to penalties and that's just the way it was. 'You obviously are disappointed. You see an opposition collecting a trophy and celebrating with their fans and stuff. "That's tough to take. You just have to dust yourself off, regroup, process that feeling and try to drive on again." While they could now be on course for an Lynch added: "That's something that's way beyond our thought process. I think next Saturday week is our main focus." Meanwhile, despite being part of the St Thomas' side who defeated Ballygunner in a shootout in an All-Ireland Club SHC semi-final, Fintan Burke is not an advocate for determining a winner via penalties. The Galway defender, who had his attempt saved by Stephen O'Keeffe in the December 2023 clash, said: "Obviously delighted we won, but at the same time I'd be of the opinion of a replay. That's just personal. "I don't think penalties are a fair reflection of where a team is at – as in, you could have five great penalty takers and maybe the other team only has three. "It's not really reflecting on hurling throughout the team."
Irish Examiner
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Jarlath Burns backs August All-Ireland finals in 2027 and return for provincial final replays
GAA president Jarlath Burns has given his support to provincial final replays from next year and All-Ireland finals moving to August in 2027. Burns confirmed Croke Park is unavailable in August next year due to yet-to-be-announced concerts but gave his backing to the deciders being pushed into the first and third weekends of the month in two years' time having taken feedback from units. In the wake of Saturday evening's penalty shoot-out deciding the Munster SHC final, he also endorsed replays applying to provincial deciders after extra-time. A proposal on the matter is expected to be on the agenda of Special Congress in October having been withdrawn at Congress in February for further consideration. "Well, we did bring a motion to Congress this year,' said Burns at Tuesday's launch of the All-Ireland senior hurling championship in Faithful Fields, Co Offaly. 'Ironically, it was Munster GAA who stymied it. For good reason as well, because they know that they have it very tight with the preliminary quarter-finals. 'I suppose that brings that into focus as well. There are people who are very favourable towards the preliminary quarter-finals, but we will always be led by what the counties want. We decided that we would hold that particular one back. 'You don't have to talk to me above anybody else about replays and provincial finals. We've (Armagh) lost three now, two quarter-finals, on penalties. I would be very much in favour of replays where at all possible." In April, Burns ruled out the All-Ireland finals being pushed to August in 2026 but is open to them moving there the following year. 'Remember, we have an amateur organisation that is also working alongside Croke Park, which is a commercial organisation. 'Croke Park operates with regard to its priorities and how it does its business a year in advance. So, already, because we hadn't made a decision on that, August 2026 is taken up. That puts August 2027 into the mix. 'I'm around the country all the time, in clubs and counties every single day of the week, and the thing that I get most debate on are the timings of the All-Ireland finals. And there is a school of thought that is saying that first and third weeks in August, leaving everything as it is, okay, first and third weeks in August. 'Remember, the fact we're only playing two games next year in the (All-Ireland SFC) rounds saves that week for the Allianz National League. You have two weeks then after that. That solves that problem. And then you have no dead rubbers in the round-robin.' Burns continued: 'You might have heard me saying that this isn't going to happen during my presidency. The decision might be made during my presidency, but it might not actually occur during my presidency. But I am certainly open to first and third weeks in August from 2027 on. At the end of the day, we are a games organisation. 'We also have to factor in replays. We have to factor in camogie and LGFA, and replays for those as well. So Croke Park could be very, very busy in that month of August. But that's great. The more games we can have in it, the better.' Burns also indicated the Joe McDonagh Cup could run concurrently to the Liam MacCarthy Cup. 'If you do away with the preliminary quarter-finals, there are advantages to that because you could stretch out the Joe McDonagh Cup and you could make that a longer competition.' Burns isn't inclined to see the Leinster Council take their senior hurling final outside Croke Park as has been suggested by some pundits. He hailed the concept where 10,000 children took up the 20,000 free ticket offer for last Sunday's game and their 'imaginative move' of taking their football semi-finals outside Croke Park. Believing the €50 price for a stand ticket was value for money after what transpired in TUS Gaelic Grounds on Saturday, Burns spoke of the committee he has charged with looking at changing the way certain tickets are priced. 'One of the things that I would always hear is around the whole business of we price ourselves out and it's stopping people from going to games. They're going to produce a report for us on our ticketing structure, on what works, what doesn't work. 'We have tried a few things this year, the Leinster championship was one of them. One of the questions is, if you charge less into a match, will more people go? It's a very simple thing. I would have to say that the €50 for the three (All-Ireland SFC) games has worked out very well for us. 'I just think if we can show imagination, particularly around, if you are in a situation in Croke Park where there's going to be 40,000 empty seats, let's prioritise filling those seats in whatever way we can. So that's the sort of things that they're looking at.' Burns said the revival of the International Rules series is on the agenda of the GAA's management committee this Friday but was not yet prepared to confirm it will return in October. 'We have to be mindful of lots of things because that's coming in the middle of a closed season, which we are very protective about and that's why we did away with the pre-season competitions last year because we wanted our county players to have a genuine closed season. 'If we are going to start now with International Rules at that time, we know that would compromise that principle that we have brought in, giving our players that rest period.'
