Tipperary whirlwind blows away Kilkenny dreams
Tipperary people all over the world have been celebrating since 5 o'clock on Sunday evening, after the county hurling team scored a glorious triumph over red-hot favourites Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Final.
The sheer magnificence of the Tipperary display and the win over one of the greatest hurling teams of all time, and one of their biggest rivals, has made the victory all the sweeter. It was Tipp's 26th All-Ireland crown and it must rank as one of, if not the greatest.
Kilkenny, who were trying to lift the McCarthy Cup for a record-breaking fifth successive year, were knocked out of their usual elegant stride by the sheer ferocity of this Tipp team, a veritable whirlwind of blue and gold.
The magic moments from Sunday will forever be treasured. There was that hat-trick of goals from a streak of lightning called Lar Corbett, who proved unstoppable in the face of flying hurleys and tough tackling.
There were the outstanding displays of Brendan Maher, Noel McGrath, Padraic Maher and Paul Curran. There was Brendan Cummins' pointed free into the goal at Hill 16 from almost the other end of the pitch. The standing ovation given by both sets of supporters to Kilkenny superstar Henry Shefflin when he limped away from the contest after only 12 minutes; and captain Eoin Kelly's emotional, all-encompassing victory speech.
And there was the dignity and class shown by manager Liam Sheedy in the face of the sometimes personal but laughable criticism by his predecessor.
Hurling stirs something in the soul and passions of many people, none more so than those from Tipperary, and it's little wonder that the county has been en fete all week.
30,000-plus supporters rolled out the red carpet for the team when they arrived home in the rain in Thurles on Monday night. The loyal fans were told that they were part of the great Tipperary hurling family and they were present to see manager Liam Sheedy keep his promise from the same night twelve months previously that the real Liam, the McCarthy Cup, would be back this year.
There was another huge crowd in Mullinahone on Tuesday night when Eoin Kelly, the first South Tipp man to captain Tipperary to All-Ireland senior success, brought the cup home.
The team togs out again on this Wednesday evening for the annual challenge in aid of the Third World charity GOAL, when they take on Thurles Sarsfields.
And on Saturday the blue and gold bandwagon will roll back into Semple Stadium for the All-Ireland U-21 Hurling Final. Eight of the senior panel, including six players who saw duty on Sunday, will be trying to achieve the county's first All-Ireland success in the grade since 1995 when they take on Galway.
Sunday marked Tipperary's first All-Ireland since 2001 and only their fourth since 1971, which ensures that there will be a renewed drive to repeat the success next year.
Despite their crushing defeat last weekend Kilkenny haven't gone away. Already they've been installed as 11/10-on favourites to win next year's All-Ireland, followed by Tipp at 6/4, Galway at 8/1 and Cork and Waterford both at 18/1.
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Weather for Clonmel
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 4 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
