Eamonn Kelly: There's something magical about Loughmore-Castleiney 

The Loughmore-Castleiney manager said his side are 'preparing more' for the Munster SHC semi-final against Ballygunner than they did for the Tipperary decider.

Loughmore-Castleiney manager Eamonn Kelly before the Tipperary County Senior Club Hurling Championship final match between Loughmore-Castleiney and Toomevara at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

“My mother is 82 and could probably manage Loughmore-Castleiney.” The comment is not an insult to the beloved Mrs Kelly. Her son Eamonn only uses the line to illustrate how self-motivated the double Tipperary senior champions are.

Instrumental in the rise of his own Kiladangan, Kelly is still able to marvel at the spirit of Loughmore-Castleiney. If it could be bottled, they be millionaires, but after winning the Breen and O’Dwyer Cups last month, the second time in four seasons, they feel like them.