Swimming against the tide nothing new for Tipperary football

When Tipp reached the All-Ireland semi-final in 2020, the wheel was already turning against football in the county.

TIPPERARY FOOTBALL: Waterford's Tom O'Connell in action against Tipperary players, from left, Jimmy Feehan, Tadhg Condon, and Paudie Feehan. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Liam Kearns, God rest him, was a small bit disillusioned at the beginning of 2016, not long after he’d been appointed the new Tipperary senior football manager.

On paper, the job was as attractive as they came. Tipperary football had undeniable potential. Between minor and under-21, they played in 14 Munster finals in the ten years between 2006 and 2015. Seven minor finals and seven under-21 finals.