Tipperary captain Ronan Maher believes that his side's steely streak has been forged in the fires of adversity and disappointment that they have experienced in recent seasons.
After a 2024 to forget, the Premier County have developed the winning habit this year, with Limerick and Cork the only teams to get one over – or two, in the case of the Rebels – on Liam Cahill's charges over the course of the league and championship.
Last time out, Tipperary overcame Kilkenny by a 4-20 to 0-30 scoreline, despite losing Darragh McCarthy to a red card for the second time this summer, to set up a fourth meeting of the year with Cork.
Fate can be a cruel mistress, but those who believe Tipperary's season is written in the stars and that their name is already on the Liam MacCarthy Cup, might point out a parallel to the last time the county reached the All-Ireland SHC final.
Six years ago, Premier County forward John McGrath (above) received his marching orders in the 48th minute of the semi-final against Wexford, but Liam Sheedy's side went on to edge out the Model men and then the Cats in the Croke Park decider.
Maher, who won his second Celtic Cross medal that year, told RTÉ Sport: "There was a bit of deja vu there [last week], like the 2019 semi-final.
"There was a big impact from the bench. I think we showed huge character to come out on the other side.
"It was a huge battle. It was chaos towards the end of the game and it was really good and positive to see us come out on the other side.
"We've had a lot of tough days together as a group. I suppose that's what brings you that bit closer and winning matches has a big impact on that as well. It builds that belief and that confidence within the group.
"We've been enjoying every game as we go and we're looking for improvements every day.
"Winning games – you can't beat it – and we're looking forward to Croke Park again on Sunday."
Tipperary finished bottom of the pile in Munster with just one point last year, but seem to have greater strength in depth this term, with emerging talents forcing established stars to look over their shoulders.
On the team's development, Maher added: "It's a mixture of everything. I suppose winning games is really important, but our fitness levels and our physicality is there as well.
"All that comes together. It puts you in the right position at the game to win. There's a lot of work went in throughout the year.
"We've had tough losses through the last two or three years and we keep going, keep fighting for each other.
"We've plenty of learnings from the last day and we're going to take them into Sunday.
"There's loads of competition within the group as well and challenges for different positions.
"You can see looking back throughout the championship, Liam Cahill has rewarded everybody for their hard work and they've got game time as well.
"If you're performing, you get your chance. So that's a healthy environment to have and I think it's all come together really nicely now."
Three players who were Under 20 All-Ireland champions last month appeared in the semi-final. Super-sub Oisín O'Donoghue, the aforementioned McCarthy (pictured together above) and U-20 skipper Sam O'Farrell have infused the team's age blend with youthful undertones, and that teenage kick has propelled all of the squad to a higher level.
"It's a really good mixture," Maher, who turns 30 in October, enthused.
"The lads are really refreshing and I suppose they came in this year with a whole new insight and they refreshed a lot of us.
"They're a really mature group of players and they've had good success underage as well, so that's boosted us on big time.
"You see the likes of Oisín coming on, he's been really good as well, and there are lots of lads driving on behind him as well.
"It's really healthy and there's good competition there. They're pushing us all and we're learning a few things after them as well! So it's great and it's a healthy environment."
Watch the All-Ireland Hurling Championship final, Cork v Tipperary, on Sunday from 2.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to commentary on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
