For Tipperary, league promotion is more important than championship

In what was an inconsistent and patchy league campaign, to be heading to Croke Park this evening is a real bonus for Tipperary, writes Declan Browne.

Reaching the All-Ireland semi-final last year created an unbelievable buzz around theses parts, putting Tipperary football on the map.

The style of football played and carefree attitude attracted genuine praise from all quarters. But with this new-found attention comes its own pressures and the spotlight was more intense than usual at the start of this year’s Allianz League. Hopes were very high within the county that Tipp would push on and gain promotion to Division Two.