Tipp-top Browne knows the score

TIPPERARY football supporters know Declan Browne can be depended on to compete with the best of the Kerry backs in Sunday’s Bank of Ireland championship clash at Semple Stadium.

But unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the team as a whole.

Browne accepts the reality of his side’s situation, but says it would be a difficult assignment for any team taking on Kerry. “They are favourites to win the All-Ireland again and we have nothing to lose.’’

Browne insists what happened last year - when Tipperary withdrew from their qualifier game with Fermanagh - is history. The players “did what they had to do”, but he didn’t wish to expand beyond that. “We’re going out on Sunday with a clean slate and a new manager. We’re just getting on with it,’’ he added.

The return of Seamus McCarthy as manager means a lot to Browne, and the players certainly appreciate his involvement. “I suppose Tipperary football was a poisoned chalice for a long time, nobody wanted to come near it because of what went on. Everybody knows how committed Seamus is to football in the county. He took the job on and he is willing to give us all a chance.”

McCarthy has gained a lot of respect from the players and many have been under him previously at U21 or senior level. “Everyone knows what he is like,” said Browne, “there’s no messing!

Tipp’s league campaign wasn’t very fruitful in terms of results - they lost all their games - but the management used it to build up their panel. “You could say that results don’t lie. But, it’s like any team; when you lose the first few games you just start to slide and you just can’t pick it up. Everything sort of goes against you.”

Browne was available for just the opening three rounds and was ruled out for the rest of the competition after sustaining yet another injury against Louth. He has yet to line out with his club, but took part in a challenge against Clare a fortnight ago and suffered no ill-effects.

“We have a mountain to climb against Kerry, but we won’t lack interest or preparation,” he adds. “We’re going out to win. There would be no point in training for eight or nine months if you don’t think you have a chance of winning.”