Hurling's dress rehearsal "doesn't count"

Tipperary are heading into the Cat’s lair for Sunday week’s Allianz Hurling League final, facing reigning league and All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in what many feel might well be a full dress rehearsal for this year’s All-Ireland final.

A win would be oh so sweet for Tipperary supporters, so long playing second fiddle to their not-so-loved neighbours, it would help erase the memory of the most recent heavy loss, that All-Ireland semi-final hammering of last year.

For Tipperary assistant manager Michael Ryan however, those memories are already just that — memories.