Tipperary are currently top of division 1B in the Allianz National hurling leagues, they're unbeaten having won all four of their league games, scoring an astonishing ten goals in the process. Tipp have the highest points haul of all teams in the League by 20 points. Between the wins and the goals, there's no doubt that excitement is starting to build again in the Premier county.
While Limerick and Galway have been at the forefront of hurling for the past five years redefining how the game is played, racking up record numbers of points from long distances. Tipperary's recent spate of form indicates that they might have a different approach for trying to stop the Limerick behemoth.
Liam Cahill is in his first year in charge with Tipperary and so far has created a goal-scoring machine, forfeiting easy points in place of trying to work tough goals. What was once the norm in hurling is now unconventional, but maybe for Cahill and the Premier county, a bit of risk is just what's needed.
Can Tipperary actually challenge Limerick?
Their success has left plenty of people wondering if they've found the formula to challenge Limerick this year. Speaking on the RTE 2FM former Limerick Stalwart Niall Moran expressed concern that Tipp could cause some problems for John Kiely's men come summer.
A lot of teams, there is no goal threat with them. The Clare or Galway managers would have gotten away with a wing-back playing in goal, but the likes of Tipperary, instead of shooting from distance, they are going back to the most effective attacking hurling you can have, which is cross-field balls and guys running off the shoulder.
If a team are going to score 25 or 26 points [against you] then you are going to need two or three goals.
Tipp at the moment, look the most goal-hungry. Following what's true to themselves and I think they are going to have a lot more success than some of the other teams, who are trying to mimic [Limerick].
11 March 2023; Jake Morris of Tipperary celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group B match between Tipperary and Waterford at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Moran wasn't the only one singing their praises either, felt they were built for goals with players like Jake Morris and Seamie Callanan being serious threats on the ball with other pundits in agreement too.
Seamie Callanan had a chance early on that was a natural point but he tried to force a goal opportunity and they did that on multiple occasions. Jake Morris, when he's not on the ball some people are concerned about his contribution but when he's on the ball he's devastating. There are a lot of parallels with Lar Corbett.
It's another goal for Jake Morris! - Morris completes his hat-trick in style with another brilliant goal for Tipperary. pic.twitter.com/rUDPTjI6sI
— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 11, 2023
Morris's goal run continued against Waterford at the weekend, scoring three of Tipp's four goal. Speaking on RTÉ's GAA podcast, Jackie Tyrell was all praise for the hurler and thought his effects would go well beyond just the scoreboard.
Their behaviour is different to the norm.
Individually as a corner-back, if you’re marking a forward who likes to take the point you can nearly step up a little higher and push and press him a little higher. If you have a Jake Morris you nearly take a step back because this guy will take you on and has the legs to burn you.
It alters your approach.... If a team is targeting goals and they score goals I think mentally it can knock you a bit, ‘here we go again, these lads are able to get goals on us.’
Whether Tipperary's ten goals so far in the league will come good in the summer is yet to be seen, but one thing is for certain it will be a huge feat to knock a Limerick side who have been champions four out of the last five years.
