This season ahead is a defining one for Declan Ryan and his management of the Tipperary senior hurlers.
2011 did see the county reach another All-Ireland decider, but they were second best to Kilkenny on the day, relinquishing the title they claimed in fine style at the Cats’ expense 12 months earlier.
Then we had Lar Corbett’s decision to walk away from panel last February. The Thurles player has since made a return to the fold, and the hope within the county is that minds will now be fully concentrated on what lies ahead.
As for Ryan, he will desperate to atone for the disappointment of last September. Tipperary only played in patches in their attempt to win consecutive All-Irelands.
The threat of Lar Corbett was nullified by a crafty Kilkenny defence, while at the end the Premier rearguard failed to deal with probing diagonal balls that saw Henry Shefflin reap dividends.
Ryan was appointed manager in November 2010 after the surprise departure of Liam Sheedy. It was a popular choice as the Clonoulty-Rossmore served his county with distinction, winning All-Irelands in three separate decades.
Five Munster titles, four National Leagues and All Star recognition capped off a distinguished career in the blue and gold.
In 2006, he was appointed manager of the Tipperary minors and guided the side to All-Ireland glory the following year.
After the Liam McCarthy success in 2010, it was felt that Tipperary had the squad and desire to maintain their top spot in the hurling pecking order.
Ryan’s job was to keep the side focused on the tasks in hand, and last year’s Munster title was won with relative ease. Waterford were hit for seven goals in the provincial decider, with Lar Corbett having a field day, scoring 4-4 and Eoin Kelly chipping in with 2-06.
However, the fluency that characterised that success, was absent in their All-Ireland semi-final success over Dublin. The men in blue were short key personnel that day, and Tipp made heavy weather of the victory.
Supporters were confident the tempo would ratchet up the required levels to face the black and amber, but they were left feeling flat as their men struggled to move through the gears.
Ryan and his selectors must instil in their squad the ferocity that de-railed Kilkenny’s ‘drive for five.’ On paper, Tipperary are still the best equipped to topple the Cats, in spite of Cork’s recent surge and the expectancy that Galway can marry consistency with the undoubted talent they have.
A fully-fit Lar Corbett is vital to Tipp’s summer adventure. A retention of the Munster title will not be easy, but if it’s achieved they know that will be well primed for an assault on All-Ireland honours.
Declan Ryan can use of hurt last year to drive his charges on and much focus will be on their opening clash with Limerick. That is the game to set down a marker and to say to the rest of the hurling world that Tipp are back in business.
