THURLES SARS retained their Tipperary senior hurling title in dull and damp Semple Stadium yesterday, capping off a superb year for their four Tipperary All-Ireland-winning stars, but only after a testing final few minutes against a young Clonoulty-Rossmore side that will surely come again.

TIPPERARY has been engulfed in a giddy and happy atmosphere all week but by Tuesday night it was time for Padraic Maher and seven of his senior colleagues to take a step back from the celebrations.

WE’RE in the dying embers of another long season but there’s still plenty to whet the appetite of hurling followers nationwide.

IT’S A long way from Balbriggan to Thurles, longer still if, like Michael Gleeson, you lived in one but pined for the other.

TWO points in the closing minutes earned Cork a thrilling victory over arch-rivals Tipperary in a superb Munster MHC final at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick yesterday.

CHAMPIONS Tipperary, bidding for a third consecutive All-Ireland MHC title, face Cork in the Munster championship decider at the Gaelic Grounds tomorrow.

TIPPERARY put their Munster minor hurling championship title on the line tonight when they entertain Clare in the semi-final at Semple Stadium (7.30pm).

THE two recent Harty Cup games between Thurles CBS and Our Lady’s, Templemore, produced classic games and followers will be hoping for more of the same this weekend with the semi-finals down for decision.

Our Lady’s, Templemore 1-14 Thurles CBS 2-11