Tipperary are looking good going into the Championship despite a one point extra time defeat to Kilkenny in Sundays league final on a 2-25 to 1-27 score line.

Just like last year, it’s Limerick first in Munster for the Premier but unlike last summer they’ll be at home giving them a better chance of avoiding a repeat of the same result last summer.

Tipp Captain and centre back supreme Brendan Maher who was excellent against Kilkenny spoke to me after Sundays defeat and reflected on what lessons they’ll take from the duel with the Cats and the league season at large.