Declan Laffan encouraged about Tipperary's development
Tipperary selector Declan Laffan pictured ahead of the All-Ireland SHC Final. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
From the start of 2025, Tipperary have wanted to demonstrate character.
Undoubtedly, the previous campaign disappointed, but Tipp were ready, willing, and able to respond.
The Allianz League commenced with a convincing win over Galway at Pearse Stadium and significant signs of progress have been evident in the intervening months.
Now, Tipp are busy preparing for Sunday's All-Ireland SHC Final against Cork. Selector Declan Laffan acknowledges that Tipp have travelled a good distance in a short space of time. "Everybody took on the onus and the responsibility and understood that what happened last year wasn't good enough," Laffan say.
"We drove it as best we can, and fortunately, things have worked. Players have bought in. We're fitter, we're stronger, we're mentally tougher, and I think we've proven that in the last 15 minutes."
In the closing stages of matches, Liam Cahill's charges have delivered. "I go right back to Ennis," Laffan adds. "That day we looked in trouble, from 12 points up to level, and then we just found something, went again, and got over the line.
Tipperary selector Declan Laffan and manager Liam Cahill. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
"I still go back to that Cork game in the championship when we lost by 15 points below in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, the day Darragh (McCarthy) got sent off. At the end of the day, we played 75 or 76 minutes with 14 men, and I don't think the players got the credit they deserved that day.
"It's so difficult. Cork were really in their flow, and it's so difficult to try and stem the tide with 15, never mind 14. I just thought we were so manful in the second half, really stood up, and we started to see the character that this team had. Fortunately, it's carried through."
Why have Tipp improved so much? "Instead of it being one particular thing, it's been a lot of small things," Laffan remarks.
"We've tried to do our best to make them more productive in every way and get the best value out of every small detail. When you put them all together, then it adds up to quite a bit.
"I think people underestimate the value of that draw the first day against Limerick too. That was a huge morale booster, and it was a huge morale booster for the supporters.
"When you have support behind you, it's worth an awful lot, so it's great to see the supporters back in huge, huge numbers. In Croke Park (against Kilkenny), it could’ve 35,000-40,000 people from Tipp, which is phenomenal.”
