HEROES RETURN: TWO WEEKS ago their senior hurlers returned home disconsolate after giving up their All-Ireland title, but last night Tipperary supporters welcomed their young footballing heroes home to the birthplace of the GAA.
It’s rare for Thurles to be putting on a homecoming party so late in September but thanks to the Tipp minors’ stunning victory against hot favourites Dublin on Sunday, the old town put on its best bib and tucker to congratulate the county’s newest All-Ireland champions.
The old footballing strongholds in Kerry, Dublin, Tyrone, Armagh and elsewhere should be on guard: the Tipp lads intend coming back for more. Not content with winning the hurling title with regularity, they now have their sights set on senior football success to add to Sunday’s first minor football crown since 1934.
“This is only just the beginning,” the Tipperary minor manager David Power told thousands outside the Cathedral of the Assumption after the team’s arrival last night.
“I hope that we’ll have the Sam Maguire back by 2020. It will happen with this group, I’ve no doubt that the core of this group will lead Tipp to the Sam Maguire.” The young stars were introduced to the hordes on the steps of the cathedral, with team captain Liam McGrath the last to be cheered.