Christy O’Connor: Seamus Callanan, Noel McGrath, and the Mahers owe Tipperary and hurling absolutely nothing

Tipperary captain Seamus Callanan and Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy after beating Clare at LIT Gaelic Grounds. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

When Liam Sheedy returned as Tipp manager in autumn 2018, his first move was to make Seamus Callanan captain.

Sheedy had handed Callanan his championship debut as a teenager in 2008 but Sheedy’s judgement was never going to be clouded by personal loyalty or deep emotional connection. Callanan was the best man for the job.