Tipperary manager Liam Cahill sees hope for the future after a battling display in their final match of the 2024 season.
The Premier County knew they would not be progressing further into the summer after picking up just one point from their first three matches.
They were given little hope against Clare this afternoon, yet fell to defeat by a single goal in a more encouraging performance, compared to earlier rounds.
This week Tipp enjoyed noteworthy victories at under-20 and minor level – something Cahill can take comfort in.
Cahill said: "It has to be said that, in what has been a tough week for our flagship team and Tipperary, it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the brilliant performances of our minors and under -20s during the week and the work that James Woodlock and Brendan Cummins are doing with these young players to keep them coming.
"Now I know they're very young and they're still a bit away from the cut and thrust of championship hurling.
"It was ferocious out there again today and there's a bit of work to be done with them, but they're winners now and they know what it's like to perform and win and fight in a Tipperary jersey.
"Once that conveyor belt stays coming, we'll always have a chance in Tipperary of producing a good flagship team and our seniors are, you know, we are where we are at the moment."
"We deservedly, warrant being bottom of the pile this year"
Tipp made seven changes before being forced into an eighth due to Mikey Breen picking up an injury in the warm-up.
Despite the difficult position, their manager found comfort in how they battled with the Banner.
"Obviously, I'm really disappointed overall, we're out of the Munster championship. The month of May...it's not anything that we envisaged happening, as I've said previously, but I'm delighted with the performance today and delighted with the attitude and the fight.
"And I think that's paramount anyway, number one, that we always bring that and we brought it with a lot of abundance today. I'm very, very proud of my players.
"To be fair to them they try to do that every day, they really do and they prepare so well.
"The same as every inter-county player does, they prepare meticulously and we were very unfortunate to lose Mikey Breen in the warm-up through a calf muscle injury and you know that was a big hit again before the game.
"Owen Connolly was plucked back into the team into an inside back role which is always a kind of a shock to get stiffed with that short notice.
"So I’m really delighted for Owen, the way he played, and disappointed for Mikey because he's a true professional the way he prepares and I know he'll be back again."
Cahill told reporters he was intending to remain in charge of the side next season, the third of an initial three-year term announced in 2023, as he plans a turnaround in 2025.
"We deservedly, warrant being bottom of the pile this year," he said. "Our performances haven't justified us being any further and we know that and we're just going to go away and try so hard to be better."
For Clare boss Brian Lohan, the objective of a third Munster final appearance on the trot has been achieved, with Limerick again looming on the horizon in a fortnight's time.
"It's hard to come out of Munster and everyone knows that. We're back where we wanted to be at the start of the year and I'm looking forward to it now.
"There are a lot of small margins between the teams, particularly in Munster. [Tipperary] was a big game for us.
"Without playing well in the first half, we came in level and then pulled away in that third quarter.
"We lost our concentration a bit for the fourth quarter and didn't play so well. Loads to work on but happy to get the win."
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