Jackie Tyrrell: Tipperary will be ready for 'acid test'

Championship is looming, but Tipperary will be all out to have a real crack at Limerick in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 semi-final, says Jackie Tyrrell.

In a spring campaign where levels of intensity have not risen far up the dial, the top-tier semis, on paper, do offer the prospect of some cut and thrust. First up is the clash of Limerick and Tipperary at the TUS Gaelic Ground on Saturday, throw-in 7.30pm. Sunday afternoon sees Kilkenny host Cork at UPMC Nowlan Park, with a 4pm start.

Former Cats star Tyrrell, speaking on the RTÉ GAA Podcast, has been impressed with what Liam Cahill's unbeaten Tipp side have served up so far in the league. He expects the Premier to keep up that forward trajectory when they face the All-Ireland champions.

"I think Liam Cahill only knows one gear to a certain way, and that is foot to the floor, which we saw from Waterford last year," he said.

"Even from the early stages of the league he's been driving this Tipp team; they have been performing really well. They have the acid test this weekend but it's a great position for them. We're still a month away from championship, so they can go hammer and tongs at Limerick. If they take a beating; if the experiement of Mikey Breen in the full-back line doesn't work, Liam still has a month and has options to work around that."

.@MrJackieTee feels Tipperary will put the 'foot to the floor' when they face Limerick in the Division 1 semi-final #tipperarygaa #limerickgaa #rtegaapodcast #rtegaa #AllianzLeagues pic.twitter.com/7LFqJWUNOm

"He will learn so much; it's crunch time to a certain extent. Alan Tynan will proably go up against Kyle Hayes and Diarmuid Byrnes. Liam Cahill will know exactly where Alan Tynan is come the end of the game. There are