Through cancer battle, Offaly U20 keeper Liam Hoare remained part of the team

“The crowd is super. They’re like a 16th man. Without them, I’m not even sure would we be playing next Saturday."

Leigh Kavanagh and Liam Hoare of Offaly after the Leinster U20 Hurling Championship final victory against Dublin. Picture: ©INPHO/James Lawlor

Even by the high bar set by local GAA rivalries all over Ireland, there are pockets around the Offaly-Tipperary border where the relationship between the two counties is very complex. 

Ballyskenach started life in Tipperary before moving to Offaly, hurlers from Shinrone were known to take part in Tipp championships with Knockshegowna, while both Lorrha and Coolderry each looked to cross the border in 1925, though neither succeeded.