'Psychologically, we're thrilled to get out of jail'

Two rooms, two separate universes. Tipperary exits quickly, soberly, the scare of a near implosion weighing heavily upon them. Eight point up with less than 25 minutes left and yet they come away glad to still have a season.

Across the way, the Wexford enclosure is alive with the banter and charm that has made them something more than a durable hurling county.

"We are delighted," grinned Tony Dempsey, cornered in the tunnel afterwards and totally at ease.

"We were lucky to make a draw, but then, we could have stolen it and if we did, it would have been sheer larceny. I don't know what you all thought but I felt that was an absorbing game. I know my old heart is gone anyway and if it does that for the spectator's that's good. And I don't think this All-Ireland final is over yet."

Across the way, Tipp selector Ken Hogan is pondering his side's more troubling reaction to a match that turned them upside down and almost dumped them entirely. At 4.15 p.m., they were lording it; 10 minutes later and they were looking to the heavens.

"Psychologically, we are thrilled to get out of jail. There was a time when we were knick and knack and maybe we should have put Wexford away, but, in fairness, they kept pegging away and they were prepared to have a cut whenever the ball went in around the goal mouth. Goals give a huge lift and from that perspective, Wexford really got at us." Those last three minutes will sent shivers down Munster necks for a few days to come. Wexford's great spirit was perhaps best captured by Paul Codd's leaping block down on Tipp's cerebral marksman, Tommy Dunne.

"We are very lucky and very relieved," gasped the Tipperary captain later on, lacing his shoelaces and looking to head south. "They were all over us for the last five minutes. Hurling is a funny game and if it doesn't go along predicted lines, those things happened - the game looked to be going our way but the goals kept them in it.

"And one thing about Wexford is that they have unbelievable heart and they never give up."

True, even when they do give up. Martin Storey yesterday began an epilogue to what has been an extraordinary hurling life.

"Was he out there?" deadpanned Tony Dempsey.

"No, to be honest, it just deflected attention away from the rest of the team. Martin has been with us and we thought about springing him before. Next time, it might be Billy Byrne or Tom Dempsey." Larry Murphy beamed at the mention of the return of his old shooting partner.

"Ah, it was a shot in the dark. But, when you get to this level, you have to play your aces. It was probably a brave decision for both Martin and the selectors because, if it didn't come off, you are the worst in the world."

But it worked. Storey's aura alone seemed enough to inspire Wexford's regeneration, with Larry O'Gorman's first goal coinciding with his rapturous arrival on the field. For Storey, the return to colours was spurred by one simple aspect.

It is not often you get a chance to witness a man who had convinced himself that his dog days were behind, only to find himself out there again.

Reborn at 37.

"The Wexford jersey convinced me to come back. That's it. Just the pride I got out of wearing it for the years I wore it. I'd love to wear it for another 10 years. I love the buzz out there, the atmosphere, the crowd. Enjoyed every second of it, It was a pity I didn't get the ball. It's a special thing, being out there in Croke Park."

You have to wonder what Nicky English thought when he saw his old adversary leap in from the wings. Maybe that he'd brought his own caman.

He shrugs at the way Tipp's stroll turned nightmarish.

"At the end of the day, Wexford had nothing to lose. And when you have that and the crowd gets beside you, it's an ideal situation. So we were happy enough at the end." But, if was a peculiar, anxious sort of happy.

"They can't be as happy as us though," marvelled Larry Murphy.

Doubtful.

Few teams ever are.

Wexford's great seanchai, Larry O'Gorman is lounging on the rub-down table, adorned only in towel. "Ah bro, how yez, just having an oul rub, "he announces. Dunno where that came from. Maybe it was the training we did last October and the bit of spirit we have.

"The odds haven't changed now, it's just that both teams will have another clash at each other the next day."

And Larry O, two-goal hero, in at full-forward?

"Dunno where I'll be. Heard a rumour there that George O'Connor might be coming back. You never know."

Not with this bunch, happily saving the summer's hurling.