Power to continue Tipp tenure

PAT GILROY’S future may be under a cloud, but his All-Ireland winning counterpart David Power has nailed his colours firmly to the Tipperary mast for 2012.

In the wake of the All-Ireland final win over Kerry, there is increasing speculation over whether Gilroy, who has four young children, will remain at the Dublin helm for a fourth term.

But Power says he definitely won’t be vacating the Tipperary hot seat on the back of his side’s tremendous win over Dublin which marked the county’s first All-Ireland minor football success since 1934.

“I have done three years with the Tipp minors, but I have another year left and I will be honouring that,” said Power, who has also been previously involved with other Tipperary underage sides.

“It was fantastic to win the All-Ireland last Sunday, and it’s obviously a tremendous boost for the game of football in Tipperary.

“We’ll be celebrating the win for some time to come, but looking forward to next year it’s a huge advantage that no fewer than 13 of the lads we used last Sunday are under age for the 2012 championship.

“It would be fantastic to put two All-Irelands back-to-back, but we know that would be a massive task as every opposing side raise their game considerably when they are playing the champions.

“However, the fact that so many lads had experience of playing in this year’s Munster Championship, and in the three subsequent matches against Meath, Roscommon and Dublin, is certainly a big plus for next year.”

As well as the Croke Park success being a massive fillip for the development and popularity of football in Tipp, the Kilsheelan-Kilcash clubman feels the historic achievement will have benefits outside the borders of the Premier County.

“I think the other so-called weaker counties in Munster (Clare, Limerick and Waterford) can take a lot of heart from us winning the All-Ireland,” said Power.

“Our win has shown what we can be achieved by some hard work, dedication and a group of talented players, and there is no reason why the likes Clare, Limerick and Waterford can’t replicate what we’ve done.”

With regard to his own managerial future, Power admits it would be an ambition of his to take over the reins of the Tipperary senior side, currently managed by Kerryman John Evans, at some future stage.

“Of course, most people involved at underage level would like to manage their county at senior level, and I’m no different in that regard,” he said.

“But John Evans is there at the moment and so any move for me up to senior would be very much down the line.”