Premier legend Eoin Kelly issues challenge to the current Tipperary team ahead of 2026 season

Eoin Kelly’s career in a Tipperary jersey was laden with medals and accolades. All-Irelands, All-Star awards, countless man-of-the-match displays and even two Young Hurler of the Year honours came his way.

He also captained the Premier to some of their finest days, including the famous 2010 All-Ireland final victory. National League triumphs were part of the haul too.

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Yet, for all that success, one achievement always eluded him — back-to-back All-Ireland titles. Since Tipp last managed the feat in 1965, every generation of player has fallen short, Kelly included.

Speaking with GAA.ie recently, he was asked if it ever weighed heavily on him, the Mullinahone man was quick to dismiss the idea.

"No, it wasn't, it was never really mentioned," said Kelly. "It was always just, 'Win your next game'."

The current Tipperary squad, still enjoying the afterglow of their latest MacCarthy Cup win, will face that same challenge when the 2026 season arrives.

The expectation of supporters, pundits and even their own families will ensure the 60-year gap since Jimmy Doyle’s team last retained the title is never far from their thoughts.

Kelly himself did get a taste of defending an All-Ireland over the weekend, lining out for Tipp’s Over-40s Masters side as they secured back-to-back titles with victory over Wexford. From his perspective, retaining silverware is an immense challenge, and he feels Tipp’s players should appreciate every milestone along the way.

"It's a funny thing, and something people don't really mention, but when we won the All-Ireland in 2010, we went on the year after and won the Munster championship," he recalled.

"If you go back all the way to 1965, that (2011) was the only time that Tipp followed up an All-Ireland by winning Munster the next year.

"So, yeah, everybody wants to go out next year and win the All-Ireland again but sometimes there are little, smaller wins along the way that are very valuable too and they can be overshadowed by the whole All-Ireland thing.

"Like, Cork didn't have a bad season this year, they won the League and the Munster championship. Okay, they didn't get the big one and that'll hurt.

"With Tipperary, they'll knuckle down, they haven't won a League since 2008 so I'm sure that's going to be the first question that Liam Cahill will put to his squad when he's asking them about 2026? It'll be, 'How about we go after this?'"

Seven different Tipp outfits have tried and failed to retain the All-Ireland since 1965. Kelly was involved in two of them — 2002 and 2011 — both times falling short the year after glory. But he has no regrets.

"There have been phenomenal teams that have obviously done it, the Limericks and the Kilkennys, but those were rare teams too," he said.

"Those were generational teams with generational talents. Look, time will tell for Tipp. It's hard to make predictions when it's so competitive now.

"The dynamics of the season have changed a bit because when you go back in January, it's game-game-game-game and then it's almost over in a flash. It's quite a condensed season, the inter-county season, so it'll be interesting to see how it plays out."

Reflecting on 2025, Kelly feels much aligned for the Premier.

"Tipp were very fit, injury free and when the chance came, they took it," said the six-time All-Star.

"The All-Ireland final, like, people came out after the match puzzled with the way that second-half went. But it probably just showed Tipp's determination all season. When they got out of Munster, they went quietly about their business.

"There was no hype around them, even before the All-Ireland final. It was a lovely way for them to go in. It was always going to be a sticky one for Cork and it proved that way. The weight of expectation and hype lent on them very heavy. And Tipp were awesome on the day."

Away from inter-county matters, Kelly has enjoyed his Over-40s successes in both 2024 and 2025. The Masters grade was only reintroduced last year after almost two decades, and he’s proud of the contribution he’s made. But attention now turns back to club hurling.

Mullinahone are preparing for a must-win clash with Nenagh Éire Óg in Templetuohy.

"We have a lot of injuries picked up and it was a tough season," said Kelly, who also worked with Peter Queally’s Waterford backroom team this year. That's the way it goes. Some years, it's nearly an injury-free campaign and other years you're not as fortunate.

"We're after losing two games in the county championship and we're going into the third match now. You don't want to end up in that dreaded relegation battle. The threat of it is there so we need to win that match against Nenagh and we'll try to put our best foot forward.

"But it's hard, the Tipp championship is very competitive. There are 16 teams in it and as far as I know, only three teams are qualified at this stage after two games. So a lot is coming down to the last games this weekend. That'll tell you how severe a championship it is."

A county championship that sharpens its contenders — and perhaps readies the Premier County for another tilt at history in 2026.

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