Tipperary will stick to their traditional approach in their bid for Munster SHC glory, says Brendan Maher.

Hurling is following down the same path as gaelic football with defensive game plans all the rage at the moment but the Premier County won't be deviating from what they know best.

"As a player you want to be involved in good, open conventional hurling, 15 v 15, beat your own man," the captain remarked to The Irish Independent.

"That's the ideal situation but you have to give credit to the other teams as well that are playing to their strengths. Tactically they are very aware, they are using their strengths very well and it's working for them.

"You know you're going to be involved in those type of games. Henry Shefflin passed a comment that it was nearly harder to have the ball than not have it which is interesting from him looking on."

The Borris-Ileigh clubman agrees with his former manager Liam Sheedy who believes attendance figures could suffer if the defensive approach is to become the norm.

"Maybe it is a factor that people aren't as enjoying the game as much, I don't know. It's hard when you are a player, you don't tend to dwell on things or get involved in that outlook.

"We're trying to keep the traditional approach, we are very traditional in Tipperary, we believe in simplistic hurling.

"But you have to acknowledge that the game is evolving and we have to be able to adapt to different systems that have a sweeper or extra defensive set ups. When you are faced with it, you have to change your style of play to overcome it. You have to strike a balance."

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