Former Galway dual All-Ireland winner Alan Kerins is backing Tipperary to overcome Kilkenny this weekend and claim the Liam MacCarthy crown once again.

Speaking to PwC as part of their Off the Pitch series of interview, the founder of the of Alan Kerins African Projects enthused: "I fancy Tipperary to do it. I just think they are coming in similar to when they won it in 2010. I think they have massive firepower and they are improving and evolving all the time."

The two time All Star hurling Galway native knows a thing or two about the game and the people involved, "I know Emanon O'Shea well and he is a brilliant manager and a fascinating guy and with Paraic Maher back out to centre back they look very impressive defensively."

Reminiscing on his own playing days, Kerins admitted that he has a lot of great memories but the All Ireland Club Championship win with Clarinbridge in 2011 is his standout victory. He remembers, "Portumna, Sarsfields and Athenry were very dominant during that period and we came from nowhere to win the All Ireland."

Kerins continues, "It was surreal to be standing in Croke Park with 10 minutes to go and the game almost won, you could relax and enjoy it with all the lads you had grown up with. A very special feeling to win with your childhood friends, neighbours and community."

Kerins is forever grateful for the platform his sporting profile gave the charity which has grown from strength to strength in recent years, "My relationship with the GAA has been very beneficial in terms of access to Croke Park etc. and a lot of our major fundraising events such as "Sam to the Summit" have been GAA focused and incredibly well supported by the GAA community."

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