Anthony Daly: Tipp a class apart in impressive U20 final performance

Kilkenny are just not producing X-factor players any more, wizards that would dazzle you with skill and genius.

WHAT IT MEANS: Tipperary players celebrate after the oneills.com GAA Hurling All-Ireland U20 Championship final match against Kilkenny at UPMC Nowlan Park> Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

When I was involved in the Limerick underage academy, I was involved with an U15 team at one of those underage tournaments around 2017 when Limerick ran into Tipperary. At one stage, I found myself walking behind the goal offering encouragement to the full-back line when this bould little Tipp fella with number 14 on his back decided to tell me what he thought of me. He more or less told me to clear off back to Clare – and his language was far more graphic than that.

I could only smile to myself at the bouldness of him, of how he thought and acted with that blue and gold jersey on his back. It might have just been an isolated incident but I genuinely wasn’t offended. I didn’t see it as arrogance, cockiness or boldness; I just viewed it as a young Tipp fella full of the inner belief which has made Tipp who they are.