Larry Ryan: Eternal optimism of the Tipperary mind

What special ingredient does the Blue and Gold bring to summer? The misguided will tell you arrogance. The truth is optimism.

John Hodgins watched by team mate Denis Mulcahy, tussles with tipp forward Noel O'Dwyer

“Tipp are back and how they are needed.” 

That was the headline in the Evening Press after Tipperary won the 1979 National Hurling League semi-final. Tipp went on to beat Galway in the final though it was only the league and they weren’t back yet. In Munster, inside in Limerick, JBM’s ground pull rolled insolently over the line and the great famine went on.