Tyrell still seeks cure for pain of Tipp defeat

IT’S over five months since the All-Ireland senior hurling final — Tipperary’s great win denying Kilkenny the glory of the five-in-a-row. Plenty of time for Tipperary to celebrate, Liam MacCarthy enjoying a very happy Christmas in the Premier County.

There’s a flip side to the coin, however. Those have been five long painful months in Kilkenny, even today the bruises are still raw, still hurting, still burning. Never mind the fact this team had already set all kinds of records that may never be broken – unbeaten for four championship seasons (the Cork four-in-a-row team of the 40s lost a postponed Munster final to Tipperary), 21 championship wins in a row, aggregate scores, average winning margin.

Given what was at stake, this wasn’t just any old defeat, this was destiny denied, and denied by their most bitter rivals at that. Oh it hurt alright, hurt no-one more than outstanding defender, Jackie Tyrell.