Dermot Crowe: Tipperary’s Willie Connors had the resilience to rise again

Just as Tipperary recovered from a heavy league final defeat, Connors can also bounce back

Willie Connors at the launch of the new Tipperary jersey. Photo: James Crombie/Inpho

In the 23rd minute of the National Hurling League final between Cork and Tipperary in April, the substitutes’ board went up with Willie Connors’ number on it. Wearing 11, but selected at midfield, he left the field with Cork rampant, six points clear.

Two weeks out from the championship was not a good time to find yourself going backwards. The upheaval created threatened to blow everything off course. Losing to Cork, who demolished Tipp the year before in the Munster championship, raised a fundamental question of character and reopened woun

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