Enda McEvoy: Summer brought to life by red wave and Cork's wet sail

Tipperary manager Liam Cahill arrives at Semple Stadium in Thurles. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

At the end of the National League final two months ago one of the spectators left Semple Stadium and headed back to his car in downtown Thurles. En route he was buttonholed by not one but two sociable locals.

Both conversations hummed along predictable rails. Had the stranger been to the match? What did he make of it? How did he reckon Clare and Kilkenny would fare in the championship? Who did he reckon would win the All-Ireland? And then the same unprompted ex cathedra declaration delivered in the same weary tone: “Tipp are going nowhere anyway.” One thing about Blue and Gold folk. They may have illusions, or even delusions, when Tipperary are good. They have absolutely none when Tipperary are not good. If on championship eve in any given year a Tipp fan says they’re not going to win the All-Ireland, they’re not going to win the All-Ireland. The end.