Tipperary goalkeeper Rhys Shelly says the clear aim for the Premier men next season is to try and defend their Liam MacCarthy Cup crown.

Liam Cahill’s side shredded the script in July when they defeated Cork by 3-27 to 1-18 at Croke Park to record their county’s 31st All-Ireland SHC success and first since 2019.

Speaking to GAA.ie at the recent launch of Tipperary’s new jersey for 2026, Shelly says the Premier men will be eager to prove next year that this past summer was no flash in the pan.

“I think this year getting over the mental side of things was a big thing for us,” he said. “Liam has done a great job bringing in youth and mixing them in well. I am getting to that middle age, turning 25 now, and it's getting that balance right and getting everyone mixing together.

“There are a lot of good hurlers coming up underage with the U20s the last few years and it is about creating a welcoming environment and getting everyone believing they can play at that level. That's a big thing.

“Liam did it excellently last year; he gave everyone a chance. He managed it extremely well. If we can keep that confidence in the young players coming forward and keep ourselves motivated then I feel like there will be a lot of success for Tipperary in the years to come, please God.

“We don't want to go out next year now and underperform. You see how easily it can happen with teams. Especially when you're going into Munster, it's such a cauldron, anyone out of five teams can get through. We'll focus now, get back in, have a good league campaign, get a bit of momentum, and hopefully get on with it again. The aim is obviously to go back-to-back.

"Everyone's aim is to win the All-Ireland at the start of the year, so hopefully we get the preparation right, get the players all back and ready to go again now in the coming weeks.”

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