Tipperary's Devane eager to cement place among the big guns

It is as much an indicator of Tipperary's progress as any that camogie observers are now beginning to talk about a 'big four when considering the likely destination for silverware, after a sustained period of dominance by Galway, Cork and Littlewoods Ireland Camogie League Division 1 champions, Kilkenny.

The recent announcement of a lucrative three-year partnership with Alpha Drives and Setanta College is another sign of the growing belief within the county but it is also a vital ingredient in providing the additional resources and services required to take that next step that would truly establish the Premier County among the elite - by winning a trophy.

Bill Mullaney’s side have racked up huge scores in winning their opening two Group 1 ties of the current Littlewoods Ireland League campaign against Down and Offaly, prevailing by an aggregate 7-37 to 1-08, while managing to introduce a number of new faces into the bargain.

Today’s home game against Dublin at The Ragg (2pm) is likely to represent a sterner test, with Adrian O’Sullivan’s side also accounting for Offaly comfortably, after performing well against All-Ireland champions Galway in their opener.

Free-scoring former captain and 2018 All-Star, Cáit Devane has been in the vanguard of the improvement, along with the likes of this year’s co-skippers Julieanne Bourke and Grace O’Brien, Aoife McGrath and Mary Ryan.

Having an elite mindset and pushing for more might seem natural but when travelling from a low base and resources aren’t automatically available, it is not a straightforward process.

"It is very frustrating and what can creep in there, you can go quiet after a couple of years," says Devane.

"When you’re trying to push for the best and when it’s no one’s fault,