Littlewoods Ireland Division 2 League

Tipperary Vs Cork

Saturday 15th May @2pm in Drom-Inch GAA Grounds, The Ragg

Referee: Barry Nea

In recent years the Tipperary Senior and Intermediate team were managed by the one management team and all trained together. The decision was taken this year to have two separate management teams in order to give both panels the dedicated time needed. Thurles Sarsfields Cian Treacy was appointed manager of the Intermediate team along with coaches Matthew McGrath, Aaron Whelan, Brian Stakelum and selector Ailis Maher. While there are many advantages to the Intermediate players having a separate management team especially under the guidance of former county minor manger Cian Treacy, two completely separate panels has meant that Bill Mullaney has looked to expand and strengthen his panel with key intermediate players from the last few seasons such as Andrea Loughnane, Claire Stakelum and Sarah Delaney all permanently being called up and therefore no longer available for the intermediate squad.

Cian can still call on experienced players such as Sabrina Larkin and Jenny Grace who will likely form the backbone of the side as they welcome Cork on Saturday to Drom-Inch GAA field for the opening round of the Littlewoods Ireland division 2 league. Tipperary are in a group of 4 with Kerry and Galway making up the final 2 teams. The top 2 teams in the group will earn a place in the quarter finals. Players such as Drom-Inch’s Christina Brennan, Thurles Sarsfield’s Emma Carey, Courtney Ryan of Clonoulty and Nenagh’s Caroline Browne are all likely to feature on Saturday after exceptional performances for their clubs in last year’s championship. With just a short time to assemble a panel and to train and prepare for the first round of the league it will interesting to see what starting 15 are named. Our intermediate team has been very competitive in recent seasons winning the league in 2019 and always give it 100% every time they take to the field. With a new management and new faces in the squad we look forward to following their fortunes for the year as they too like the senior team chase the ultimate goal of getting to an all-ireland final later in the year. That road starts on Saturday with the focus on Cork in the opening game of the year.