Jackie Tyrrell has stressed the need for Tipperary to tighten up at the back if they're to retain their All-Ireland SHC crown.

While Michael Ryan's men have been averaging over 32 points a game in this year's championship, they've been conceding heavily at the other end of the pitch, something Tyrrell highlights in his Irish Times column.

"Going into this year's quarter-finals, Tipperary are carrying some interesting stats: in their last four games they have scored an average of 28 points and that includes a no-show against Galway in the league final," the former Kilkenny star writes.

"Take that one step farther. In this year's championship, considered to be a bit of a mixed bag for them, a campaign with no huge conviction, they have averaged 32.3 points per game. That's phenomenal scoring by a forward unit, which from the outset has been accused of being patchy and inconsistent and lacking ball winners and penetration.

"I sat in the Kinane Stand in Thurles two weeks ago, as they dismantled a Dublin team that seemed to be in disarray. But it was Tipp's demeanour that impressed me. They never settled for a point when the goal was on even when the game was over and the clock ticked into garbage time; if the goal was on they went for it. There was a ruthlessness about them and in particular their full-forward line who scored 5-17, more or less at will."

He continued: "Farther back the field is Tipperary's Achilles heel. They have conceded an average of 25 points per game so far this year and when you exclude the Westmeath game that rises to 28 points. It's hard to see that defence getting its hands on Liam MacCarthy come September.

"In last year's championship games they conceded an average of 19 points on the way to being crowned champions. That's a huge difference of nine points, which at this stage would win you 99.5 per cent of your games."

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