Operation emulation as Ryan gets Tipp tenure underway

HE WAS a force of nature in his own playing days, combative whether at centre-forward or full-forward, but it’s a gentle introduction to competitive fare tomorrow for new Tipperary senior hurling manager Declan Ryan; the opening round of the Waterford Crystal Tournament against Waterford IT in Clonmel.

Nevertheless, those familiar old competitive juices are already flowing. “I’m looking forward to it,” he says, “I’m looking forward to getting started – only four weeks now until we meet Kilkenny in the first round of the league so it’s a short run-in to full competition.”

A repeat of the All-Ireland final, won by Tipperary, that game will be pretty much full-on, the Cats – as always under Brian Cody – bristling with serious intent. “Yes, but no more than ourselves,” says Declan.