WE CAN TIPP THE SCALES

Boss Cahill never doubted he could get Premier back on track

- GARRY DOYLE

It was Liam Cahill's darkest winter.

If November was bad, December was worse as he reflected on a summer when Tipp had been mauled by Limerick and Cork, earning a little bit of respect against Clare and a point against Waterford.

Now, seven months later, he is in an All-Ireland final.

And yet despite the redemption story, if you pick the scabs of the sores from 2024, the pain quickly comes to the surface.

Cahill said: "When you're in any job, it's the same for any person in a management role, when they represent so many people, you can't help feel that responsibility.

"So, I was always looking out at a team hoping that they'll reflect what you encourage them to do and what you would like to see happening from a performance perspective.

"Even though you're the manager of a team you're looking in as a supporter too; you want an outfit that will make people proud. That's what you're trying to create.

"And when that doesn't happen, as the old saying goes, players win matches and managers lose them, and the buck stops with the manager.

"And that weighs heavily whether managers admit that or not. I'd be very surprised if it doesn't weigh heavily on everybody in a role of that magnitude when it comes to poor performances."