PICKING up his 12-year-old daughter from horse-riding last Tuesday night, Seán Boylan became fully aware of how the seemingly trivial case of an O’Byrne Cup Shield final had suddenly become much more important.

LAST year’s All-Ireland senior hurling finalists Tipperary will make their 2010 competitive debut next Tuesday night when they face Clare in the Waterford Crystal Cup quarter-final in Borrisoleigh (7.30pm).