Introduction
The following by no means purports to be the definitive story of Tipperary hurling. At best, it briefly touches on what we believe to be the most important moments over the years. To do justice to the story in anything approaching a genuinely comprehensive manner would require a great book, and surely such a glorious story deserves one. What you are about to read, is a brief account of almost a century of hurling, and the paradox in that last statement alone, warns you as to the humbleness of the effort. One of the most difficult issues with undertaking even a minor task like this is how to decide on and stick to the priorities, and to consistently resist the calling of the various tangential anecdotes associated with the central theme. There is also the legitimate question as to how on earth you do justice to even one year in such a brief work, never mind to chronicle almost a century of events? The reality, of course, is that this isn't possible in any real sense, and we ask you to bear this in mind when casting judgement. Despite the cursory nature of the finished article, this is the result of a fair amount of work and has not been undertaken lightly.
We have remained true to the facts as we have found them in all cases, and where opinion is called for it is generally that of players or commentators of the time, who one presumes are best placed to judge such things. We don't believe that any offence will be taken, except perhaps by those "thin-skinned semantic contortionists" our betters have warned us about! In the unlikely event that offence is caused, then let it be said that it most assuredly is not meant. We make no apologies for the fact that we are immensely proud of Tipperary, and the many wonderful hurlers the county has produced, and is still producing. This - with all its acknowledged limitations - is their story. It is our pleasure to be able to tell it.
Mulcair
The following by no means purports to be the definitive story of Tipperary hurling. At best, it briefly touches on what we believe to be the most important moments over the years. To do justice to the story in anything approaching a genuinely comprehensive manner would require a great book, and surely such a glorious story deserves one. What you are about to read, is a brief account of almost a century of hurling, and the paradox in that last statement alone, warns you as to the humbleness of the effort. One of the most difficult issues with undertaking even a minor task like this is how to decide on and stick to the priorities, and to consistently resist the calling of the various tangential anecdotes associated with the central theme. There is also the legitimate question as to how on earth you do justice to even one year in such a brief work, never mind to chronicle almost a century of events? The reality, of course, is that this isn't possible in any real sense, and we ask you to bear this in mind when casting judgement. Despite the cursory nature of the finished article, this is the result of a fair amount of work and has not been undertaken lightly.
We have remained true to the facts as we have found them in all cases, and where opinion is called for it is generally that of players or commentators of the time, who one presumes are best placed to judge such things. We don't believe that any offence will be taken, except perhaps by those "thin-skinned semantic contortionists" our betters have warned us about! In the unlikely event that offence is caused, then let it be said that it most assuredly is not meant. We make no apologies for the fact that we are immensely proud of Tipperary, and the many wonderful hurlers the county has produced, and is still producing. This - with all its acknowledged limitations - is their story. It is our pleasure to be able to tell it.
Mulcair
