There is something wonderful about a senior county final. Good weather day, bad weather day, any type of day. The whole occasion is so intimate.

Not only had Borris-Illeigh manager Johnny Kelly worked in the past with opponents Kiladangan, an old clubmate Seán Treacy was his opposite number in yesterday’s Tipperary county final.

In the aftermath of their 2014 All-Ireland final loss to Kilkenny, Eamon O’Shea defiantly declared that “This team (Tipp) will always have hope, they have great character, and the nucleus of this team will go on in the future and win All-Irelands.”

When Paddy Stapleton’s family were confronted with a crisis last autumn, he found he could call on old teammates — and some old adversaries — for support.

Inter-county managers should not be able to dictate when club games are played, according to former Tipperary defender Paddy Stapleton.

Tipperary manager Michael Ryan admits his side “have not found our rhythm” but is confident of turning things around.

In response to a wave of criticism from a host of former Tipperary stars, Premier boss Michael Ryan is set to appear on local radio this morning for an interview, less than 48 hours after refusing to speak to journalists following the Munster SHC defeat to Limerick.

Thurles Sarsfields will meet Borris-Ileigh in Tipp final for first time since 1955.

Cathal Barrett has been dropped from the Tipperary panel. The All-Star defender, who is currently recovering from a knee injury, is believed to have been omitted for a disciplinary breach.

Tipperary will be without Kieran Bergin for their Munster and All-Ireland SHC defence.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today

“No nonsense” is the description that comes up time and time again about Michael Ryan. Observers have hardly been startled by the more direct approach taken by Tipperary this year, given the nature of the man at the helm.

Noel McGrath will make an emotional return to match day activity when he takes his place on Tipperary’s bench for tomorrow’s All-Ireland hurling semi-final clash with Galway.

Noel McGrath’s speedy recovery from testicular cancer surgery will see him named in Tipperary’s 26-man panel for Sunday’s All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final against Galway at Croke Park.

Tipperary hurling manager Eamon O’Shea says forward Noel McGrath is “in the mix” for Sunday week’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final against Galway.

Tipperary hurling manager Eamon O’Shea is sweating on the fitness of defenders Cathal Barrett and Paddy Stapleton for Sunday week’s Munster SHC final against Waterford.

Tipperary’s possession statistics tell most of the story. Against Limerick on Sunday in the Gaelic Grounds, two of Tipp’s most active players were John O’Dwyer and Seamus Callanan, both operating in the full-forward line.

Tipperary 4-23 Limerick 1-16: Did we see the All-Ireland finalists yesterday?

“Why would it mean something to me?” enquired Eamon O’Shea when asked what this 16-point victory meant to the Tipperary manager.

1. Tipp have moved up a gear

Dublin edged out Tipp in an entertaining senior hurling challenge last night. 

An ill Cathal Barrett has revealed he was so concerned about losing his starting place in the Tipperary defence last Sunday that he only cried off on the morning of the game.

Tipperary manager Eamon O’Shea praised the consistency his team showed after yesterday’s victory over All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in Semple Stadium.

Cummins or Nash? Bugler or Brendan Maher? Reid or Dowling? Picking the best hurling team of the last five years is no easy task

They have answered the negative commentary of early summer but the questions they asked of themselves are still pending according to Tipperary’s Paddy Stapleton.

Having contested one of the most dramatic All-Ireland finals in living memory Kilkenny and Tipperary are set to do battle once more this evening.

Kilkenny manager Brian Cody has made three changes to the team to face Tipperary in Saturday evening's All Ireland hurling final replay.

Seamus Hickey has called for Limerick to put a personal development plan in place for each of their up-and-coming players so the county can maximise the talent coming through the underage ranks.

Kilkenny 3-22 Tipperary 1-28: The finest of fares. The finest of margins.

What can I say. What can anyone say. What a privilege to be present. Tactics yesterday? What tactics?

Presuming the system was recalibrated for hurling — you can’t be too sure — Hawk-Eye justified its cost yesterday. After the calamity of last year’s Limerick-Galway semi-final, it was redemption in a way.

It was a case of deja-vu at Croke Park this afternoon as for the third year in succession the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final will go to a replay, after an epic encounter.

In the three years Kilkenny and Tipperary have contested All-Ireland finals since 2009, they have collected an impressive 33 out of 45 All Stars.

Former Tipperary defender Declan Fanning has accused county board officials of not realising what it takes to prepare for an All-Ireland final after calls for the postponement of the weekend’s scheduled club fixtures were rejected.

Cork senior hurling captain Patrick Cronin has been passed fit to start in Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final showdown against Tipperary.

Paddy Stapleton has no problem in calling Tipperary’s last day out "tame", but it provided him and his defenders with something they had only enjoyed once before this year — a clean sheet.

By Peter O'Dwyer

Tipperary came from the dead to slay Galway in a quite remarkable All-Ireland senior hurling championship qualifier at Semple Stadium this evening.

Turns out, there is something like it.

While supporters of Limerick hurling are still coming to terms with events of the last few days, Tipperary’s Paddy Stapleton — Limerick’s opponents in the Munster championship on June 1 — warns it might turn out to be a blessing in disguise.