Class will always win these games.
The cream always rises to the top. The best forwards will always make the difference.
Michael Quinlivan and Conor Sweeney are two of the best forwards in the country. Tipperary’s twin towers have been consistently shooting the lights out for the last few years in the blue and gold.
From Clonmel Commercials and Ballyporeen respectively, Liam Kearns’ attacking pair have the kind of telepathic relationship that can define a game, that can win a game.
The Tipperary footballers are a joy to watch.
That’s because they play the game as if they want to win. They kick the ball, they take risks, by doing that they’re playing into Quinlivan’s and Sweeney’s hands.
You’ll see Bill Maher, you’ll see Brian Fox, you might even see Robbie Kiely or Jimmy Feehan bursting out of defence. These lads aren’t dawdling, they’re not looking for an easy option.
They lift their heads and they’re looking for the runs of Michael Quinlivan and Conor Sweeney.
The lads know the ball is coming in, and when it comes, they do their thing.
They did their thing in Semple Stadium on Saturday night, taking the Meath inside line for 1-10 between them. Sweeney raising nine white flags, and Quinlivan notching 1-1.
This was a big win for Tipperary, a win they needed after a disappointing draw with Clare last time out, and one that keeps their hopes of promotion to Division One alive.
For every game Tipperary win, and they’re winning quite a few recently, you just know the highlight reel is going to be worth the watch. You just know you’re going to be watching Quinlivan or Sweeney.
Take Quinlivan last year scoring a hat-trick against Armagh to ensure promotion to this grade.
Take this wonder-goal made in Clonmel that set Tipp on their way against Cork earlier this year.
Great finish from Tipperary's Michael Quinlivan watch it here with GAANOW pic.twitter.com/JQnGzOJ6DK
— The GAA (@officialgaa) January 27, 2018
Then, you’ve Sweeney. A man who was under-rated for so long until he made it impossible to actually underplay his worth to the cause.
Three or four years ago, he was often suffering the plight of many corner forwards, the first man to be wretched for when things weren’t going well.
Now, the late bloomer is flying it. He’s a scorer, a match-winner. He’s the second top scorer in the league so far, with 2-23 to his name after four games.
Tipperary have never played Division One football before but now their supporters will be dreaming.
What this team have achieved in the face of adversity has been noteworthy. And there has been adversity – take the loss of Colin O’Riordan to the AFL, the loss of Peter Acheson to Dubai, take the loss of Seamus Kennedy to the hurlers. Take Noel and John McGrath and some of the other talented footballers in the hurling panel.
How they’ve done it has been even more powerful.
Tipperary play this old game right, and they deserve huge credit for that in an age of packed defences and tentative hand-passing.
Meath travelled to Thurles and played a relatively defensive game. Tipp’s threat showed that the best attackers will always find a way.
Just like Paul Mannion showed in Castlebar, as Dublin’s liveliest attacker cut through an unusually defensive Mayo in McHale Park. Just like Conor McManus showed after being introduced from the bench in the last quarter to edge Monaghan past Tyrone.
On a day when Luke Connolly’s cheek and verve earned Nemo Rangers a spot in the All-Ireland club final.
Paul Mannion opens the scoresheet with this cracker! pic.twitter.com/HhIVZ4J38L
— The GAA (@officialgaa) February 24, 2018
The best players, the best finishers will always win out.
