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