Tipp’s time in the spotlight no accident, says Power

WHEN Barry O’Brien took over as Tipperary county board chairman in December 2008, he stormed into office with a passionate address to delegates at the Premier County’s annual convention.

The Fr Sheehy’s clubman offered an honest assessment of where Tipperary GAA stood at that time, insisting that the county’s hurling tradition was “almost threadbare” as he reflected on the collection of just four All-Ireland senior titles since 1968.

Two and a half years later, Tipperary are reigning senior and U21 hurling champions but the rapid progression of football is also a story that cannot be ignored.