IN PICTURES: Tipperary minors presented with Munster and All Ireland medals last weekend

A great night of celebration for the All-Ireland winning Tipperary minor hurlers was the centre of attention on Saturday evening last at the Templemore Arms Hotel. Click the >arrow> or 'Next' buttons to see the pics from the presentation.

The players, mentors, backroom team, board officials and guests gathered in celebratory mood and listened intently as special guest Seamus Callanan told the players that they should embrace being champions; wear the Tipperary jersey 365 days a year, twenty four hours a day in how they carry themselves; and continue to play the game like champions.

The All-Ireland winning senior captain - a minor winner himself in 2006 - spoke of how the minors had given Tipperary a much needed lift and a reason to support the county. They were, he said, a credit to their county, clubs, parishes, parents and the management team.

Indeed, the players were praised highly by numerous speakers on the night including County Board Chairman Joe Kennedy; team Manager James Woodlock and selector Conor O’Brien; County Board PRO, Jonathan Cullen; and Munster Council Chairman, Ger Ryan.

The MC for the evening was Paul Collins and his introduction of video clips to remind the audience of the year the minors had and the journey they embarked upon, went down a real treat.

As well as the players receiving their Munster and All-Ireland medals having been introduced by Jonathan Cullen, presentations were also made to captain Sam O’Farrell, Paddy McCormack, Adam Daly and Tom Delaney, all of whom were named in the Electric Ireland Team of the Year.

The Tipperary minors carried themselves excellently on the field of play, displaying a resilience and determination which saw them through some very sticky situations and scenarios. Their never-say-die attitude brought them to the All-Ireland Final and in that final against Offaly, it saw them over the line in the most dramatic of circumstances.

The character instilled in them by the management team and in a succession of mentors through the development squad system. stood them in good stead, and augurs well for Tipperary going forward.

But, the words of Seamus Callanan struck a real note - he informed the players that some will go on to play senior for Tipp; some will not despite their best efforts; and some will fall by the wayside totally. The choice will be made by each individual - if they want it badly enough, they will embrace the challenge and do everything in their power to make it. If not, they will fade away.

Perhaps the words of Callanan’s club colleague James Woodlock summed it all up. “You would like to think that this whole process can be a sunrise rather than a sunset for these players,” he said.

The minors of 2022 did Tipperary proud and with many of them young enough again next year, and already back in training, the gauntlet has been thrown down to them to emulate the feats of Sam O’Farrell’s team, and retain the Irish Press Cup.