Maher: All-Ireland minor success would be just the tonic for Tipperary

Padraic Maher admits Tipperary supporters are crying out for some success at the end of a difficult season.

The Tipp seniors finished rock bottom in the Munster championship while the U20s lost a provincial final - but the minors are still flying the flag.

James Woodlock's crew have powered through to the Electric Ireland GAA All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship decider with a series of stunning wins.

They beat Clare in the Munster final after a penalty shootout and then came from behind in stoppage time to beat Galway last time out.

Tipp legend and two-time minor medallist Maher said the thrilling form has been a tonic for beleaguered supporters.

Maher said: "We're crying out in Tipp at the moment for a bit of success at some level. From what I've seen so far, these minors have been a fantastic group and won a cracking Munster final. They had a great win and then got over a fancied Galway team in another good game.

"From a Tipperary point of view, we'd be very excited about these lads. I would have witnessed them first-hand because they were doing a lot of the strength and conditioning work in my own club of Thurles Sarsfields throughout the winter. I've seen the massive effort they've put in."

Maher went head to head with a young Joe Canning in the 2006 minor final, picking up the first of back-to-back medals.

Those Tipp teams produced players like Brendan Maher, Noel McGrath, Patrick 'Bonner' Maher and Seamus Callanan who backboned future All-Ireland-winning senior teams.

Maher reckons many of the current minors can go on to enjoy strong senior careers too.

The three-time All-Ireland senior medallist said: "Obviously the first name that comes to mind is Tom Delaney. He has been outstanding throughout the Munster campaign and