A year (and a day) ago the 2019 All Ireland champions Tipperary came to Belfast to play Antrim in a game to mark the opening of the magnificent new ground at Davitt’s. The weather was certainly a lot kinder that it is this year as the fans were able to sit out on the grassy banks and watch the action as the Saffrons and the Premier County played out a thrilling draw. A challenge match it may have been, but it was played with a competitive edge and the fans thoroughly enjoyed it. Afterwards the Tipperary players stayed on the pitch and signed autographs for the fans, their captain Seamus Callanan going above and beyond the call of duty by staying out for almost an hour.
A great day for everyone at Pairc Davitt, especially for club chairman Tommy Shaw and his hard working committee who had had striven for years to build their new facilities.
These hurling fans are a hard lot. There was rumours of a storm approaching but it didn’t phase them as they sat on the grass banks watching the action 
James McNaughton breaks through for the second of his two goals 
Enda O’Sullivan from Nenagh Co Tipperary, the home town of the late Fr Alec Reid whom the cup for yesterday’s game was named after. Enda is the PRO for the Tipperary footballers who were playing Derry on Sunday in the NFL Div 3 but came up a day early to cover the hurlers because of the Fr Reid’s connection 
Ruairi Og fan Ciara Campbell stormed into Davitt’s yesterday claiming the storm was named after her. Thankfully the other Ciara held off her visit until the game was over 
These four firemen from Belfast International airport were there to see their work colleague Michael Bradley in action. They claimed they had to do all his work during the week so he would be in shape for the game 
