Tipp's double agents on the hunt for more success

These are busy times, to say the least, for the hurlers and footballers of Loughmore-Castleiney.

The dual club, with pretty much the same group of players for both codes, recently completed the third Tipperary double in the club's history (11 years after their first) when they were crowned Premier county champions in both codes.

There is, however, little time to dwell on those successes. The footballers are out next weekend when they take on Ennis Éire Óg in a Munster semi-final.

This week however the focus is firmly small ball as the hurlers today face the formidable challenge of Waterford kingpins Ballygunner for the right to advance to a Munster decider.

In a predominantly hurling county, the club is in a unique position, given its strength over the years has been more in football.

Their 16 county titles are almost split evenly in both centuries, with hurling success a more recent phenomenon.

A maiden hurling crown was delivered in 1988, with the fifth – and second in three years – arriving last month after a hard-fought win over Toomevara.

A week later, that third double in 11 years was secured when Clonmel Commercials were seen off at Semple Stadium, the intense championship schedule nothing new to the players involved.

Current Tipperary hurling selector Declan Laffan (above) was in charge of both codes when history was made with the club, and indeed the county's first ever double.

He first took charge of the footballers before also slipping into the hurling managerial hot seat in 2010 alongside Noel Morris. When Morris stepped away in 2013, Laffan, who had advocated for one man to oversee both sides, was in sole charge.

"It’s harmony from the top down," he tells RTÉ Sport.

That model remained in place under Frankie McGrath after he left in 2018, but this year Eamonn Kelly is looking after the hurlers, with hurling selector Shane Hennessy overseeing the footballers.

By drawing on the same group of players, Laffan says there is a rhythm to preparation that the players find comfortable.

"The only difference is when the championship kicks off, you are playing championship every weekend instead of only training every second weekend," he says. "It's matches instead of training."

Some would question the quality of preparation, but Laffan argues the strength lies in keeping things fresh.

"If you play hurling championship on the Sunday, you will do a small bit of hurling during the week, maybe in the warm-up, but when you come back the following week to hurling there is a real appetite for it," he explains.

That magical season of 2013 is remembered fondly, despite Dr Crokes running up a big score in the provincial football semi-final, three weeks after they were edged out by Na Piarsaigh in the hurling.

L-R: Noel McGrath, Derek Bourke, Ciarán McGrath and John McGrath celebrate hurling county final success in 2013

What Laffan recalls more than anything is the void when the treadmill came to a sudden stop.

"The big thing is that when it comes to an end, you don’t know what to do with yourself. You have been on the go. When it’s over, it’s a shock to the system, a real shuddering halt," he says.

Similarly to their second double three years ago, Ennis Éire Óg (football) and Ballygunner (hurling) await in the Munster knockout stages.

In 2021 the footballers went under after extra-time, while the hurlers couldn’t overcome the red cards to brothers Noel and John McGrath in a tempestuous encounter.

The Waterford side remain on track for a fourth successive provincial crown, but Laffan believes the Tipp champions come into the contest ideally placed to go toe to toe with the city club.

"They have had an exceptional year, probably one of their best ever. Between divisional and county championship they haven’t lost a game and have had a bit to spare in most games.

"We know how strong Ballygunner are, but I would give them a great chance."

Noel and John McGrath provide the star quality, with younger brother Brian a key figure in defence, hailing from a family steeped in the club.

Brothers Noel, Brian and John McGrath celebrate the county title with family, including parents Pat and Mary

Their grandfather Mick won a couple of county medals, while his son Pat, an All-Ireland winner with Tipperary in 1989, scored the winning goal in the club’s maiden county final a year earlier, with three of his brothers also on the side.

Much of the focus will centre on their inter-county players, but Laffan says the improvement throughout the squad is a huge boost for their chances on Sunday.

"Everybody talks about Noel and John obviously, but the big strength this year is a bench that is making a real impact," he says.

In the county final victory over Toomevara, Ciarán McCormack, Ciarán McGrath and Paul McCahey combined for 1-03 off the bench.

Substitute Paul McCahey finds the back of the net against Toomevara

With around a dozen players that start on both teams, that greater strength-in-depth is something Laffan believes the Tipp side can use to their advantage.

In 2013, they lost two players the week before their Na Piarsaigh defeat, and last time out against Ballygunner, Covid took a couple of players out of the squad. At the elite level, the margins are unforgiving.

"It’s something we haven’t always had, but that is in part down to a lack of injuries this year. We have three or four subs that are doing the business every time they are coming in.

"As far as I’m aware of, there are no injuries and hopefully we can avoid the cards on Sunday."

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