Tipperary star O’Riordan came through a tough hour against Limerick in Thursday’s Bord Gáis Energy Munster U21 hurling semi-final and will now turn his attentions back to the big ball.
And Tipp’s dual star has a big task on his hands as the Premier County are without key midfielders Steven O’Brien and George Hannigan due to injury.
O’Riordan is a combative player who puts his body on the line every time he goes out on the pitch.
He took a blow to the hand while scoring his first goal against Limerick and will be nursing other bumps and bruises as he prepares for an abrasive Tyrone challenge.
But Tipp will need O’Riordan firing on all cylinders if they are to have a chance of causing an upset against the Red Hands.
2. How much needle is in this Tipperary-Tyrone clash?
Tipp’s clash with Tyrone will bring memories of the All-Ireland U21 final clash between the counties flooding back.
Both camps are keen to play down the significance of that earlier meeting but it’s sure to act as motivation for the Tipp players who were involved on the night.
Tipp were unhappy with the off-the-ball tactics employed by Tyrone at Parnell Park, and winning boss Fergal Logan was denied access to the losing dressing room.
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Lorcan Doherty
Lorcan Doherty
Tyrone were accused of sledging their opponents and while there was a sense that these two counties might meet again in the future, few would have predicted that their paths would cross so soon.
A big crowd watched Tipp play Kerry in the Munster semi-final at Semple Stadium and the history surrounding this one should ensure another decent attendance in Thurles.
3. Can Galway overcome another Ulster opponent?
Kevin Walsh and Kieran McGeeney enjoyed some big days as players for Galway and Armagh.
But when the two men locked horns on the touchline for last weekend’s All-Ireland qualifier, it was Walsh who came up with the answers to dump McGeeney’s side out.
The reward for Galway is a home clash with another Ulster opponent, Derry, in round 3B of the qualifiers.
Galway got the better of Armagh last weekend. Presseye / Declan Roughan/INPHO
Presseye / Declan Roughan/INPHO / Declan Roughan/INPHO
And the Tribesmen couldn’t have asked for much better preparation than travelling to the Athletic Grounds and coming away with a morale-boosting win.
Galway are a decent side and could have been much closer to Mayo in the Connacht championship but for some poor errors and questionable decision-making.
And they’ll fancy their chances of scalping the Oak Leafers at Pearse Stadium.
4. Can Derry continue their progress?
It shouldn’t be forgotten that Derry presented a formidable challenge to Donegal in the Ulster championship.
Their Allianz League outing against Dublin at Croke Park was a forgettable affair and brought with it plenty of criticism but what it did show was that Derry could keep an attack as potent as Dublin’s reasonably quiet.
Brian McIver's Derry will relish their visit to Galway. Presseye / Lorcan Doherty/INPHO
Presseye / Lorcan Doherty/INPHO / Lorcan Doherty/INPHO
Galway have forwards capable of causing real damage, with Damien Comer in excellent form, but Derry will make it difficult for the Tribesmen.
And Brian McIver’s men showed a good scoring touch against Wexford last weekend, racking up 1-16 against a team flying high on confidence following victory over Down.
But Derry’s preparations took a knock this week with the news that Conor McAtamney, Terence O’Brien and Emmett Bradley have quit the squad.
5. So who’ll advance?
There was big potential for an upset in Thurles until Tipperary were hit with a spate of injuries.
George Hannigan is out for the season and Steven O’Brien’s hamstring injury saw him miss the Munster U21 hurling semi-final against Limerick.
Robbie Kiely’s old hamstring problems have flared up again and Ian Fahey’s injury woes have ruined his summer.
Steven O'Brien and Ian Fahey are both ruled out injured. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Tyrone are battle-hardened opposition and having operated in Division 1 of the Allianz League this year, they will start as favourites and are tipped to advance with a few points to spare.
The Galway-Derry clash is an intruiging one. Home advantage has to count for something but Derry were clinical in their victory over Wexford last weekend.
Kevin Walsh has already plotted the demise of Armagh, however, and he can mastermind another victory over Ulster opponents this weekend.
Who do you think will win Saturday’s qualifiers and why? Leave your comments in the section below…
5 key questions as Tipp, Tyrone, Galway and Derry face qualifier battles
1. How fresh will Colin O’Riordan be?
Tipperary star O’Riordan came through a tough hour against Limerick in Thursday’s Bord Gáis Energy Munster U21 hurling semi-final and will now turn his attentions back to the big ball.
And Tipp’s dual star has a big task on his hands as the Premier County are without key midfielders Steven O’Brien and George Hannigan due to injury.
O’Riordan is a combative player who puts his body on the line every time he goes out on the pitch.
He took a blow to the hand while scoring his first goal against Limerick and will be nursing other bumps and bruises as he prepares for an abrasive Tyrone challenge.
But Tipp will need O’Riordan firing on all cylinders if they are to have a chance of causing an upset against the Red Hands.
2. How much needle is in this Tipperary-Tyrone clash?
Tipp’s clash with Tyrone will bring memories of the All-Ireland U21 final clash between the counties flooding back.
Both camps are keen to play down the significance of that earlier meeting but it’s sure to act as motivation for the Tipp players who were involved on the night.
Tipp were unhappy with the off-the-ball tactics employed by Tyrone at Parnell Park, and winning boss Fergal Logan was denied access to the losing dressing room.
Tyrone were accused of sledging their opponents and while there was a sense that these two counties might meet again in the future, few would have predicted that their paths would cross so soon.
A big crowd watched Tipp play Kerry in the Munster semi-final at Semple Stadium and the history surrounding this one should ensure another decent attendance in Thurles.
3. Can Galway overcome another Ulster opponent?
Kevin Walsh and Kieran McGeeney enjoyed some big days as players for Galway and Armagh.
But when the two men locked horns on the touchline for last weekend’s All-Ireland qualifier, it was Walsh who came up with the answers to dump McGeeney’s side out.
The reward for Galway is a home clash with another Ulster opponent, Derry, in round 3B of the qualifiers.
And the Tribesmen couldn’t have asked for much better preparation than travelling to the Athletic Grounds and coming away with a morale-boosting win.
Galway are a decent side and could have been much closer to Mayo in the Connacht championship but for some poor errors and questionable decision-making.
And they’ll fancy their chances of scalping the Oak Leafers at Pearse Stadium.
4. Can Derry continue their progress?
It shouldn’t be forgotten that Derry presented a formidable challenge to Donegal in the Ulster championship.
Their Allianz League outing against Dublin at Croke Park was a forgettable affair and brought with it plenty of criticism but what it did show was that Derry could keep an attack as potent as Dublin’s reasonably quiet.
Galway have forwards capable of causing real damage, with Damien Comer in excellent form, but Derry will make it difficult for the Tribesmen.
And Brian McIver’s men showed a good scoring touch against Wexford last weekend, racking up 1-16 against a team flying high on confidence following victory over Down.
But Derry’s preparations took a knock this week with the news that Conor McAtamney, Terence O’Brien and Emmett Bradley have quit the squad.
5. So who’ll advance?
There was big potential for an upset in Thurles until Tipperary were hit with a spate of injuries.
George Hannigan is out for the season and Steven O’Brien’s hamstring injury saw him miss the Munster U21 hurling semi-final against Limerick.
Robbie Kiely’s old hamstring problems have flared up again and Ian Fahey’s injury woes have ruined his summer.
Tyrone are battle-hardened opposition and having operated in Division 1 of the Allianz League this year, they will start as favourites and are tipped to advance with a few points to spare.
The Galway-Derry clash is an intruiging one. Home advantage has to count for something but Derry were clinical in their victory over Wexford last weekend.
Kevin Walsh has already plotted the demise of Armagh, however, and he can mastermind another victory over Ulster opponents this weekend.
Who do you think will win Saturday’s qualifiers and why? Leave your comments in the section below…
One change for Galway but Derry unaltered for All-Ireland football qualifier
Here’s how the next All-Ireland football qualifier draw will work
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All-Ireland Senior FC GAA Last Chance Saloon Derry Galway Tipperary Tyrone