by Jackie Cahill

Tipperary manager Liam Kearns doesn't expect Mayo to engage in sledging when the counties meet in the All-Ireland SFC semi-final on August 21.

Mayo emerged from a fractious quarter-final clash with Tyrone at Croke Park last Saturday to set up a last-four date with the Premier County.

Tyrone boss Mickey Harte insisted that captain Seán Cavanagh was a marked man against Mayo and his sending-off in the second half was a game-changing factor.

But Kearns isn't anticipating any 'dark arts' from Stephen Rochford's Westerners in a novel encounter - and insisted that Tipp haven't experienced any off-the-ball provocation in this year's championship.

He reflected: "Cork game, no, absolutely not. Derry game, no, I'd have to say.

"The Kerry game, no and the Galway game, no. We haven't to be honest.

"We play the games on their merits and certainly my players won't be instigating that but yeah, we want to play football and we'll play the opposition fairly and squarely, and let the best team win."

A potential meeting with Tyrone would have revived memories of last year's tempestuous EirGrid All-Ireland U21 final - when victorious Red Hands boss Feargal Logan was denied access to the Tipperary dressing room at Parnell Park.

Kearns added: "I don't know what happened last year, Tyrone are out, it's not an issue."

When asked if Tipp are prepared for any possible verbals from Mayo, Kearns responded: "If Mayo start sledging? I don't expect them to do that. I would be an admirer of Mayo's football and the way they play football.

"I think the play a manly game, they're physical but I don't expect that sledging will come into it.

"Maybe in two weeks' time, I'll revise my opinion but that would be my opinion of them now. I just don't expect that will be an issue."

Kearns has reported a fully-fit squad ahead of the game on Sunday week, with Ian Fahey and Shane O'Connell both back fully fit.

O'Connell appeared as a substitute in the Munster final loss to Kerry while Fahey's return will provide Kearns with an option around midfield or the half-forward line if he brings the Clonmel Commercials player off the bench at any stage.

Kearns said: "Touch wood we've nothing at the moment. A couple of bumps and bruises from the two matches over the eight days but no, we're clear."

Tweet

Most Read Stories