Cats’ final triumph tinged with tragedy

As the 64,246 paying spectators made their way to Croke Park that blustery day nearly half a century ago, there was not one burning question of the day but two.

Could Kilkenny end their supposed All-Ireland hoodoo against Tipperary?

Or could John Doyle, the grand old man of hurling, win a record ninth All-Ireland medal and thereby surpass Christy Ring? Which was text and which was subtext, it was hard to tell.