Back-up for Kelly crucial to Tipp success, says Dunne

THE key to Tipperary success in the Guinness Munster hurling final lies with their attack functioning effectively as a unit — and not being over-reliant on Eoin Kelly.

That’s the verdict of Thomas Dunne, the last player from the Premier county to lead his side to the Liam McCarthy Cup. Typically modest, he doesn’t mention his captaincy, saying simply: “It was great to have reached the pinnacle”. For now, he’s happy with the current side’s progress.

“The only way to measure how much progress you have made is to play against the best team in the country,” he said. “I think on Sunday evening people will be in a better position to see if Tipp are realistic contenders this year or not. That’s the way it should be, that’s what championship hurling is all about. But you’d have to be satisfied from a Tipperary person’s point of view. At this stage we’re in a Munster final and looking forward to it. I think six weeks ago that wasn’t on the cards.”