What will happen when Tipp have to sing for their supper?

Two games, two wins. For 4-58, Against 1-42. Average winning margin 12.5 points. Aggregate from play – inevitably the most interesting bit for experienced observers like us – 4-27 (2-24 against Cork, 2-23 against Waterford). Total number of wides: 20 (desirable – not so many that squandermania is an issue, not so few that their shooting isn’t open to improvement). Time of first wide against Waterford: 19th minute. Shall we get it over with and make it easy on everyone by just giving them the MacCarthy Cup now..?

One cannot think of anything more calculated to draw a shudder from our old friend, the man on the Clonmel omnibus, than those two paragraphs. Tipperary the All-Ireland champions in June. We have been here before. A reality check, then, is required and required sooner rather than later. Let’s look at the boxes to be ticked.