Tipperary selector Michael Ryan has insisted that winning an All-Ireland title remains a long way from the players' thoughts, despite last Sunday's impressive victory over Cork at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Expectations in the Premier County have soared since the historic win, but Ryan stressed that an All-Ireland final appearance - which will be just one game away from Tipp if they can beat Clare or Limerick in the Munster final on July 13 - is very far from the players' minds. He said: "I can assure you we're not thinking of that today in Tipp. There will be time enough to think of an All-Ireland final if we ever get to one. "I think everyone would acknowledge that it's a more direct route and it certainly has stood in good stead to the Leinster and Munster champions over the last seven years." Ryan attributed Tipp's success this year to the strength of the squad and the intense competition that brings for starting places. "There are hugely intense competitions in a number of positions, so on any particular day, certain guys are going to get the nod ahead of others. We'd like to think that the core of our team is reasonably settled, but there are that three or four positions that will fluctuate." Tweet

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