John Fogarty: History smiling on Tipperary — and they’re not done yet

Dublin and Tipperary winning their respective semi-finals is not beyond the realms of possibility. But a fifth All-Ireland for Tipp? Stranger things haven’t just happened; they’re happening

The Tipperary team, who won the delayed 1920 championship, pictured in 1922 with Dan Breen in the centre. As Fethard were senior county champions in 1920 — their clubman Ned O’Shea captained the team that day — Tipperary should have worn their blue and white jerseys on Bloody Sunday. However, as they were not deemed to be in good condition, the Grangemockler ones were chosen instead.

Sick of the 1920 resonance? Convinced that the two teams most capable of giving Dublin a game have now fallen by the wayside and all hope of a competitive finale is lost? Well, we can’t help you there but we encourage those romantic neutrals among you to read on.

Coincidence is very much alive and well in Cavan and Tipperary this morning. That some of the details of 100 years don’t align with now — Cavan won Ulster in 1920, but Tipperary had to wait two years before annexing Munster — doesn’t matter. Against abundant odds, they have completed the same last four of that similarly delayed 1920 championship.