Out of all the counties in top level hurling at the moment, you could argue that none are in a more difficult place than Tipperary.
The Premier County has seen their form dip off to a dramatic degree over the last couple of years, with the team having won just one of their last 12 games in the Munster Championship. They failed to win any of their provincial fixtures in 2024, with a draw against Waterford the only point they would manage to pick up.
Tipperary manager Liam Cahill has seen his position questioned on the back of that, run although he was not happy at the suggestion that he might not be in charge in 2025.
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Liam Sheedy responds to those blaming him for Tipperary issues
Assuming that Cahill is the man to lead Tipperary into next season, he will likely have to lead a rebuild of the team. The current panel consists of quite a few players who are coming towards the end of their inter-county careers.
Over the last couple of years, former manager Liam Sheedy has come in for some criticism about the current state of the Tipp side. While he would win an All-Ireland in 2019 during his second spell in charge of the county, some feel that his failure to blood new players over the couple of years that followed has led to their current predicament.
However, he does not see it that way.
Writing in the Irish Examiner, Sheedy suggested that the lack of Tipperary development since his departure spoke volumes about the decisions he made at the time.
I know there is a running commentary that Sheedy never played the young lads. The reality is that I played and brought on the players I felt gave us the best chance to deliver a winning performance, which is my job.
Reality is that three years after my departure we are still calling on Noelie and Bonner to lead the line.
WHY? I can only assume because they continue to put their hands up in training. As is the case in every setup, you play the best 20 players you feel will get you the result.
Tipperary are clearly a team in need of some rejuvenation, with the performances of their U20 team this year giving some encouragement as to what could be to come over the next few seasons.
Still, it could be a couple of lean years for the county as they look to get back to hurling's top table.
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