By John Harrington

One of the most heart-warming stories surrounding Tipperary’s All-Ireland hurling win unspooled the following Monday morning in Beaumont Hospital.

A County Board delegation comprising of current Chairman Michael Bourke, and former Chairmen John Costigan and Sean Nugent brought the Liam MacCarthy and Irish Press Cups to former Tipperary hurler John Kelly in Beaumont Hospital.

Kelly, who hurled full-back on the 1971 All-Ireland winning Tipperary team, has been in Beaumont for the last year and a half because of a tumour on his spine.

“The visit was facilitated by County Board Secretary, Tim Floyd,” John Costigan told GAA.ie. “John Kelly was a wonderful servant to Tipperary hurling and we felt it was a fitting thing to do. He had a great battle in ’71 with the formidable Kieran Purcell and his battles at club level with Cork’s Ray Cummins when he hurled for UCC were legendary.

“John was over the moon to see the Cups and hold the Liam MacCarthy Cup again. The tears were running down his face.”

The extent to which Kelly was touched by the gesture was vividly illustrated by the text he sent to John Costigan later that day.

It read: “Hi John. Thank you for bringing the All-Ireland Cups into me. It was a great honour and privilege to hold the Cups again and to have the County Chairman and two ex-County Board Chairmen bring them in.

“I never thought I would hold the Liam MacCArthy Cup again. I do know not know how good I am, whether I am finished here or will I ever be able to go to a match again, but I will always treasure today as one of the highlights of my life.

“Thank-you for making it happen and congratulations and best of luck to Tipperary.”