
‘The hurt brought us closer' – Conor Stakelum shares driving factor in Tipperary's All-Ireland win
Stinging criticism was levelled at gaffer Liam Cahill and his players when they were dumped out of the 2024 Munster SHC by Cork with a game to spare.
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The Thurles Sarsfields' man followed in the footsteps of his father Conor senior
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Conor (right) and brother Darragh Stakelum celebrating the All-Ireland win
But a remarkable revival culminated with
Tipp midfielder Stakelum said: 'What went on last year, we went through that together.
"It was the same management this year, a couple of tweaks, and that was a really strong foundation even though we were beaten and beaten really badly.
'We took it in the ear from our supporters, from opposition, from pundits, everything — but we came through that together and I think there's no secret to it.
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'We didn't do anything madly different but we had that hurt and that brought us closer. We knuckled down and trained hard.
'We all had each other's backs. We knew it was us and nobody else this year because we were written off and that's a good place to be in when it's just the group. Backs to the wall, let's row in together.'
Along with his brother Darragh, Stakelum has followed in the footsteps of his father — also named Conor — by winning an All-Ireland medal.
Conor Jr added: 'It's a dream come true.'
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