Ambitious
The Tipperary U21s are making history this weekend, but it is a September Sunday afternoon in five years time that one of of the county’s top young talents already has his eyes on.
The Premier contest a very first All-Ireland decider at the grade this Saturday when they face Ulster champions Tyrone.
The Munster side are riding a wave of football optimism at the moment, having claimed the provincial crown with an impressive win over Cork, and following that up with a sensational victory against the holders Dublin.
The side is captained by dual talent Colin O’Riordan and he feels that if the rapid progress achieved since an All-Ireland minor success in 2011 is maintained, there is no reason that the county cannot challenge at senior level.
He feels that the county has to aim high if they want to be successful and that starts by targeting an All-Ireland senior success.
‘I see no reason why it can’t. People think you’re stupid when you say it. But people thought we were stupid when we said we’d win the All-Ireland  in 2011. And people thought we were stupid when we said we’d be talking about four steps to an U21 final in 2015.’
‘Look, 2020 is five years away, that’s five years more ground work that needs to be done but you never know what will happen in five years.’
If Tipperary are to become serious All-Ireland contenders they will have the break apart from duopoly that has existed in Munster football for over the last 100 years between Kerry and Cork.
The Premier are the closest county in terms of provincial titles to the big two, and O’Riordan feels that securing narrow losses against the Kingdom or the Rebels is no use to Tipperary football:
‘You have to be beating teams in Munster first, you have to be beating Cork and Kerry. There’s no point saying you can lose to them by a point and get this moral victory that everyone’s talking about. You have to be winning.’
‘If you want to win the All-Ireland, you have to beat the best to be the best.’
Before they can dream of senior success they will have to try and find a way past Tyrone this Saturday
However, regardless of that result, the growing sense of confidence in Tipperary football is an example to other dual counties what can be achieved with enthusiasm and good coaching.
We’ve had ‘MayoforSam long enough,maybe it’s time for ‘TippforSam’ to become fashionable.
H/t to Irish Times
