Places are up for grabs, says Ryan

Tipperary manager Michael Ryan admits "places are up for grabs" after his All-Ireland champions laboured past Westmeath in Saturday's hurling qualifier.

John O'Dwyer and substitute John McGrath netted goals in either half, as Tipp beat Westmeath 2-18 to 0-15 in the Round 1 qualifier in Thurles, but Ryan's side were far from convincing despite their nine-point victory.

The All-Ireland champions registered 16 wides and went 18 minutes with a point at one stage, and Ryan, who made six changes for the game from the quarter-final defeat to Cork, says he might shake up his starting line-up again in Saturday's Round 2 qualifier against Dublin.

"There's still positions up for grabs on this team and we're absolutely encouraging the competition, as you can see," he said.

"We made changes there early in the second half and it continued right throughout the game.

"Look, we came here to win, there's no other prize on offer bar a place in the bowl on Monday morning.

"That's mission accomplished but loads to do.

"Some of the performances were below par and when performances are below par, you open the door to competition. A healthy thing, as far as I'm concerned."

Kilruane MacDonaghs' clubman Niall O'Meara was stretchered off in the second half with a potential season-ending ankle injury, while star forward Seamus Callanan, who did not score from open play, and Michael Breen were both substituted.

"Those performances were below-par, the lads would be the first to admit that you have to hit your own levels and get yourself on the ball. If it's off, it's off," Ryan continued.

Westmeath manager Michael Ryan, now in his third year in charge of the Lake County, is pleased by his team's continued improvement following their impressive performance in the four-point Leinster quarter-final defeat to Offaly.  

"The brand of our hurling was very good. There's no reason why there's not a big future for Westmeath hurling," he said.

"I'm delighted with how they've improved their hurling in the last couple of years and absolutely delighted with the attitude of the guys. It’s been fantastic."

Photo Inpho/ Tommy Dickson

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