If there’s such a thing as the magic touch in the GAA, the Tipperary footballers certainly have it.
That’s because they’re never beaten. They’re always capable of springing a surprise, a giant-killing, despite injuries, despite suspension, despite emigration.
Last year Liam Kearns’ men went on a Championship journey that brought them all the way to an unprecedented All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo.
The Premier County were at it again in the League this year when a last-gasp Michael Quinlivan stunner against Armagh crowned his hat-trick and sealed promotion to Division 2 for next year.
True to their style, they blew Louth away in the Division 3 final.
Their Munster-semi-final loss to Cork wasn’t like Tipperary, and there’s a reason why.
Tipp’s injury and absentee list was (and still is) as long as a spoiled child’s letter to Santa.
To compound matters even further, Michael Quinlivan was stretchered off after 18-minutes with suspected ankle ligament damage to add to the agony.
Quinlivan’s season was in doubt. There was no chance he’d be back for their qualifier journey.
Kearns was speaking to Tipp FM prior to his sides’ victory against Cavan and he emphasised just how much bad luck they’ve had this year.
In fact, he’d never been involved in a squad with as many injuries, with as much bad luck as this one.
“When you’re missing players of the calibre of Evan Comerford, Peter Acheson, (Who has emigrated) Michael Quinlivan, an All-Star…Ciaran McDonald, Paddy Codd, longstanding defenders for us with loads of experience. Then throw in Shane O’Connell, Philip Austin, Willie O’Connor.
“Look it’s been pretty tough for us this year. We’ve had a huge injury list. It’s the worst I’ve ever come across in twenty years of management,” said Kearns to Tipp FM during the week.
Here was the supposedly injured Quinlivan before throw-in in Breffni Park just six weeks after his ‘season-ending’ injury.
.@TipperaryGAA are coming more into the match and they are bringing on star forward Michael Quinlivan can he be difference #MoreThanAGame pic.twitter.com/qlz2r0ZW9S
— eirGAA (@eirGAA) July 8, 2017
Not even logic can write these boys off.
When a depleted Tipperary were down by six points to Cavan in Breffni Park on Saturday at half-time, many had them written off. If they lost, they had loads of excuses to cling to.
These boys don’t want excuses, they don’t want praise, they want to win.
Just like they always do, Tipperary responded to their doubters in flying fashion.
An injured Philip Austin jumped eagerly from the bench. Ten minutes later he won a penalty. Twenty minutes later, he set up his side’s crucial second goal.
A happy Tipperary bunch in Cavan. pic.twitter.com/fz1svLiM5G
— DrMáireT (@MaireTNC) July 8, 2017
Brian Fox was like a dog with a bone all day at half forward. As he always does, he covered almost every blade of grass on the Cavan pastures. He hassled, he harried, he attacked.
Robbie Kiely scored 1-01 from play from Centre bloody back.
Conor Sweeney was as prolific as he always is, notching 1-05.
The supposedly injured Michael Quinlivan even got on the scoresheet.
20-year-old Jack Kennedy may have been making his Championship debut but he pulled the strings in midfield like a seasoned campaigner.
This team are full of guts, they are full of class and they’re a bloody joy to watch.
What’s most refreshing about this Tipperary side is they don’t appear to take the professionalised game too seriously.
Whether it’s their manager Liam Kearns, who appears to be the most popular of all GAA managers among his players, allowing his players to live their lives, to celebrate when they win, or the lads having the craic during training.
They’re an example that all other GAA teams should follow.
