Last Sunday saw Tipperary win their first All-Ireland minor hurling title since 1996. This Sunday they look to win their first All-Ireland under-21 title since 1995. This could be interpreted as a sign of a revival in Tipperary hurling in general but under-21 manager Fr Tom Fogarty is not so sure.
"It might be a little premature to call it a revival," says Fogarty. "We have to achieve a bit more before we can say that. But there are hopeful signs down the line. I certainly wasn't surprised the minor team won on Sunday, because they are a very good team.
"The senior team performed reasonably well throughout the year, and possibly could have won the Munster final against Cork. We are moving in the right direction. But we have to be realistic as well. Tipperary and a lot of other counties are still behind Cork and Kilkenny and Galway at underage level. But even if we win on Sunday, we'd be deluding ourselves if we think we're at the same level as Kilkenny at senior level and will go on to win All-Irelands there in the next year or two. It will take us a few more years to catch up."
Fogarty has good reason to be cautious about Tipperary's chances on Sunday and in the short term at senior level. For a start they're facing a Kilkenny team in Croke Park on Sunday that includes three star players from last Sunday's senior win over Cork - James "Cha" Fitzpatrick, John Tennyson, and Richie Power. And Tipperary's last under-21 final two years back, also against Kilkenny, ended in a 3-21 to 1-6 hammering.
Although he wasn't involved then, having taken over the under-21 management in 2005, Fogarty reckons that game will have no bearing on Sunday.
Tipperary have some fine talent of their own in senior forward Darragh Egan - who has scored 2-13 in their three games to date - and fellow senior panellists James Woodlock and Jim Bob McCarthy.
"That game (2004 final) is not an issue. I think there's only two of that panel left, and they don't ever raise it. What's important is there's a very good work ethic in the team."
As a previous senior and minor manager in Tipperary - as well as spending a year with the Offaly seniors - Fogarty is well positioned to give an overview of the county's hurling prospects. He is calmly optimistic. "Just because you win one minor final doesn't mean you have arrived at the top table. We haven't reached that stage yet, but there's a lot of hard work being done around the county.
"In terms of the potential of this team, though, the answer is how they perform on Sunday will give you a fair indication, but we would certainly be hopeful a fair few players would come through. I've no doubt they will. But it's how they perform in big games. That's the barometer really."
Tipperary had a facile semi-final win over Antrim, while Kilkenny, who beat champions Galway in their semi-final, will start as favourites. While Kilkenny will finalise their team after training tomorrow, Fogarty announced two changes from the semi-final victory over Antrim - with McCarthy returning from injury at centre back, and Kevin Lanigan dropping to the bench, and wing forward David Sheppard starting at wing forward in place of Darragh Hickey.
TIPPERARY (Under-21 H v Kilkenny): Gerry Kennedy; Paddy Stapleton, Alan Byrne, Conor O'Brien; David Young, Jim Bob McCarthy, Sean Horan; James Woodlock, Stephen Lillis; Ryan O'Dwyer, Niall Teehan, David Sheppard; Richie Ruth, Darragh Egan, Ray McLoughney.
