The Tipperary footballers went into their Munster Senior Football Championship semi-final clash with Cork with a severely depleted squad.
Liam Kearns had to prepare for the game without at least ten of his main players for the game.
In the eighteenth minute, it got even worse for the Premier County.
Michael Quinlivan went up to contest a high ball with his marker and the Clonmel Commercials man landed awkwardly on his ankle.
Tipperary’s talisman was unable to continue and had to be stretchered off, to make their task even tougher.
Quinlivan is one of the best forwards in the country, having won an All-Star last year and his loss is one that Tipperary simply can’t afford.
It wasn’t a pretty sight for Premier eyes. Liam Kearns’ reaction said it all.
Liam Kerns’s men soldiered on admirably without their main man, however, with Centre forward Liam Boland, and Quinlivan’s replacement Liam McGrath catching the eye.
The Premier County went into the half time break leading by 0-4 to 0-1 despite playing against a stiff breeze.
Who feels worse: Michael Quinlivan or Liam Kearns? #GAA
— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) June 10, 2017
Tipperary were utterly dominant in the midfield with Robbie Kiely and George Hannigan on top.
HT in the @MunsterGAA Championship Semi-Final:@OfficialCorkGAA 0:01 – 0:04 @TipperaryGAA.
Here's all the first half scores! #GAAclips pic.twitter.com/Ex05ul5aJ9— eir Sport (@eirSport) June 10, 2017
Cork were sluggish, however, in a display similar to their struggles against Waterford two weeks ago.
“I think some of them should be looking for the back door, it was an embarrassment,” said Colm O’Rourke on The Sunday Game live.
