Now that Tipperary’s well documented 2016 Senior Football exploits have now been consigned to the history books, the focus now has to switch to the future with the emphasis in putting in place a well oiled football set up across the county to ensure continuity at the top table with promotion from Division 3 of the National League being top of the list.
Certainly coming from defeat by Clare in Miltown Malbay in the McGrath Cup to a hard earned National League win over the same opposition in a wet and windy Sean Treacy Park to Kildare’s ending of any chance of Tipp’s promotion to Division 2 with a clear cut win in Clonmel, what was to follow can only be described as unbelievable and testament to Liam Kearns management skills and the players who bought into his whole training regime.
However we can’t sit on our laurels and if every level of football from within the schools, to development, management and administrative level within the county can up the ante by another 10 per cent along with all this dual player nonsense and player availability being finally put to bed, Tipp Football will be in a very healthy state.
Great aspirations maybe but after seeing Waterford, Cork, Derry and Galway fall by the wayside and enjoy a three point lead over Mayo in the All Ireland Semi Final, anything is possible.
Finally best wishes to Tipp’s Minor Hurlers who clash with Limerick in the All Ireland Final and to our Seniors who will hopefully make it a double celebration and finally end any Kilkenny’s designs on holding on to the Liam MacCarthy Cup.
Tommy Fitzgerald, PRO Tipperary Football Board
