Tipperary have executed a sharp turn in fortunes in the time between last year’s semi-final defeat at the hands of Kilkenny, to the upcoming league final against the same opposition, at Nowlan Park this Sunday. Following the departure of Declan Ryan from the post of manager the introduction of Eamon O’Shea and his backroom staff have appeared to revitalise a side that was pilloried for their tactics in last year’s semi-final, when Lar Corbett followed Tommy Walsh about the field of play in one of the oddest chapters in the annals of hurling strategy.

This Sunday the Tipp hurlers face their oldest, and most recent, foe as they once again go up against Brian Cody’s Kilkenny in the Allianz League final. All Ireland winning centre-back Conor O’Mahony spoke with Newstalk’s Oisin Langan and told him that travelling to Nowlan Park, to face Kilkenny, is “ideal preparation” for a Championship season that begins against Limerick in The Gaelic Grounds.

“It’s a huge challenge, but sure we know that. It’s where you want to be.

“Going down to a cauldron. It’s ideal preparation because it’s going to be that way when we face Limerick in the The Gaelic grounds.”

O’Mahony was keen to stress that, for all of their good form thus far in a highly competitive league season, the Tipp players aren’t getting carried away before the real business of the championship starts in earnest.

“It’s still very early in the year. There’s no one getting carried away with a league final.”

O’Mahony also spoke to Oisin about the lingering effects that last year’s semi-final defeat had on the squad, how they now see the challenge posed by Kilkenny and where they feel they are as they head into May.

Listen to the full interview via the player below