Browne savouring surge in Tipp football fortunes

Tomorrow afternoon, he’ll head along to the Clonmel Sportsfield to see how the Tipperary senior footballers are shaping up.

Home life has been busy for Declan Browne after the arrival of his second daughter ten weeks ago. Roisín and her older sister Aoife now take priority over McGrath Cup games for Tipperary’s most celebrated footballer. But he’ll be there come throw-in tomorrow nine years after playing the west coast of Clare when Tipperary last tasted McGrath Cup final success.

“I remember we had to head to Milltown Malbay to play Clare and won by a point. I was only back from an All Stars tour to San Diego on the Friday so it was a bit of a contrast with the weather.”

The environment has changed. Tipperary football has never radiated a warmer glow after the epic underage days of late. Browne enjoyed a magical experience in Croke Park when captaining Tipperary to a Tommy Murphy Cup victory in 2005. Yet last September he witnessed unprecedented glory as the county minor team swept to a famous All-Ireland title.

“No one saw it coming all year. But they were an incredibly fearless bunch of young fellas.

“I was on a Tipperary minor team in 1995 that won Munster but the difference is last year’s side had more naturally gifted footballers. And that comes down to the underage work. Back when we were U14 and U16, there was no real impetus put on football.

“But Davy Power was involved at U14 and U16 level and I think he could see from a few years out that they’d something special. The Tommy Murphy Cup win in 2005 was a great occasion but these minor and U21 successes are real springboards because of the quality of players coming through.”

The county has been climbing up the rungs of the football ladder but reaching the top will be an arduous business. Yet the fact Tipperary football has now become fashionable fuels Browne’s optimism.

“It’s very important now that young lads are choosing to play football and hurling. There were seven dual minors in Tipperary last year which wouldn’t have happened before.

“If we had the likes of Brendan Cummins, John Carroll and Paul Ormonde available when I was playing, it would have made a massive difference. Lads like PJ Savage, Seamus McCarthy, Sean Mockler and Hugh Kennedy have been driving forces at board level over the years. You’d be delighted for the likes of them that there’s a bit of success.”

Browne bid adieu to the inter-county game at the close of 2007 just before the county won successive league promotions under the stewardship of John Evans. But the two-time Allstar has no regrets about the timing of his departure.

And while the 33 year-old continues to endure injury struggles, his days of kicking ball are not over and featuring for Moyle Rovers is high on his 2012 agenda.

“It was the right time to go after 12 years. I was glad I retired because I really wanted to give something back to the club and not be a cripple.

“And playing for Moyle Rovers is still a big aim. I missed out last year for the county final as I was out for four months with my knee. I went to get the cartilage cleared out in it but during the operation the damage turned out to be more serious. It was heartbreaking but look it’s a new year now. I’m looking forward to getting back playing as much as ever.”