The conversation with Brendan Maher can only begin in one place.

Dan McCormack mentioned the photo in these pages earlier this week, the one taken at last weekend’s Offaly-Antrim Kehoe Cup final, of Michael Fennelly and Johnny Kelly together on the sideline with Offaly.

Ask Dan McCormack to explain the breadth of Johnny Kelly’s influence with the Borris-Ileigh team that contests this weekend’s AIB All-Ireland Club Hurling final and the Tipperary player rattles off a litany of examples and areas.

Borris-Ileigh won’t lack support this weekend in the All-Ireland club final if their semi-final is anything to go by. Defender Paddy Stapleton noted the presence of members of other Tipperary clubs at their win over St Thomas’ in Limerick.