Tipperary senior hurling team manager Declan Laffan. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
By Cian O'Connell
"Heading into the Championship, we're in a much better position than we were 12 months ago," Tipperary selector Declan Laffan says.
The Munster SHC is edging closer, but before then Sunday's sold-out Allianz Hurling League decider against Cork at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh is on the agenda.
Laffan is encouraged that emerging hurlers in Tipperary have thrived in the 2025 league and another daunting task awaits Leeside. "We've blooded quite a few new players, at the same time we've got consistency to our selection," Laffan explains. "So, we probably know 10 or 11 of our starting XV already.
"It will be real hellfire and brimstone down there, I'd imagine. The majority of the crowd will be Cork, they snapped up tickets quite quick. We will just have to deal with it and it is great preparation for the Championship three weeks later."
Following a bitterly disappointing 2024 in Munster were Tipperary intent on enjoying a productive stint in the Allianz Hurling League? "I don't know would I say we were especially eager to deliver in the league, but we were very eager to get a level of consistency to our standards of performance and consistency in selection," Laffan responds. "I think, we've achieved that.
"We were just talking the other night, probably 10 of the core of the team have played almost every game, I won't say them all. We've used 30 players in the league, most players have got a few minutes. It is good and it is great preparation."
Laffan has enjoyed successful days at club level with Loughmore-Castleiney and Clough-Ballacolla and is currently in charge of Kilcormac-Killoughey.
Tipperary senior hurling team selector Declan Laffan and manager Liam Cahill. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Being involved at senior inter-county, though, is a challenge to embrace. "Obviously, a bit like the players, everybody wants to test themselves at the highest level, to see how far they can go," Laffan says.
"I'm really enjoying it. Obviously, it is hugely intense, takes quite a lot of your time and more of your time versus the club scene, but we wouldn't do it if we didn't enjoy it and didn't want to do it."
New players have been introduced by Liam Cahill's management team alongside the established figures, who supply guidance and leadership. "There is a nice mix, we still have a few of the older guys, the old guard, Noel McGrath, I know people include John (McGrath) and Ronan (Maher), but they're scarcely touching 30," Laffan says.
"They seem like they're around a long time. We've four or five of the U20s in the squad. The U20s now are the minor team that won three years ago and we won a minor last year.
"So, hopefully the future is bright and there will be more pickings from those teams coming through."
Laffan acknowledges the importance of ensuring those players are minded correctly. "You don't want to burn out guys, you see a lot of injuries, even within other counties, basically from work load, too many games and too much training, a bit of burnout," Laffan says.
"It has to be tailored properly and looked after." That is what Tipperary have tried to achieve in the early weeks of 2025. An Allianz Hurling League Final has been reached with crucial games still arriving thick and fast.
