Kelly’s back to front priorities

We defended as a unit, we really stuck to our guns. Everyone got in hooks and blocks, which are crucial

FORGET about defying history, forget all the nonsense spouted in the lead-up to yesterday’s Munster SHC semi-final about Tipp not having been beaten Cork in Cork since the Stone Age. Only six times have the sides met since 1923, that’s six losses in 85 years — hardly the stuff of legend.

This was indeed a big win for Tipperary but not because of any jinx broken, not because of any hoodoo overcome; it was big because a young and vibrant Tipperary side confirmed what was becoming increasingly obvious this unbeaten season — Liam Sheedy has built a side of genuine class, a genuine contender. Veteran Brendan Cummins is as near-unbeatable as ever in goals, Paul Curran and Conor O’Mahony anchor a strangling defence of pythonesque proportions, Shane McGrath continues his development as a midfielder for the ages; it’s up front, however, that the real difference lies, and that difference is personified in corner-forward and team captain Eoin Kelly.