Tipperary on top as they end ‘six-year famine’

Soon after 5pm on the streets of Tipperary and on the roads leading south from Croke Park, the horns started beeping, the flags started waving, and the ham sandwiches and flasks of tea were forgotten as the thoughts started turning to nights of celebration and a winter that will seem less short.

They’d beaten Kilkenny.

Not just beaten them but blown them away, the closing minutes of this year’s All-Ireland hurling final played out in front of Tipp fans who could only look on in wonder and joy, both in Croke Park and at home in front of the TV screens, as their blue and gold heroes surged to a nine-point win.