Having reclaimed his starting jersey, Thomas Stapleton feels at home with Tipp again.

The Templederry man has had his ups and downs so far during his intercounty career but has been in fine form so far this year, putting behind him the disappointment of being dropped off the panel entirely at one stage.

"When I went in first, I expected a bit too much from myself, maybe," the 2006 All-Ireland minor winner admits in The Tipperary Star.

"I was very disappointed when I wasn't playing and I let it get to me too much. When I went off the panel then, I just concentrated on my own game.

"Then things started to go well and I started to enjoy the game and from there it went okay again.

"I feel in the middle of it now. For years I had been on the outskirts of it. It's nice to be playing at the moment, so long may it continue.

"I have seen a lot of lads come and go off the panel and I realise that you only get one chance at it - and you have to enjoy it when you're there.

"You'll be gone off it long enough so it's all about making the most of it when you are there and playing as best you can for as long as you can.

"Everything else will take care of itself after that." Tweet

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