Seamus Callanan was the difference-maker for Tipperary from the very beginning of their victorious All-Ireland campaign, says Tommy Walsh.

Tommy was speaking to Off The Ball following Tipp's 3-25 to 0-20 win over Kilkenny, in which Richie Hogan was sent off for an apparent elbow, but it was Callanan's performance for Tipp that stood out for Tommy.

"I thought it was [Liam] Sheedy's stamp all over [Callanan's play.]

"He named him captain and put him on the frees. Also, frees were not going well for Callanan early in the league, so Sheedy had taken him off them and gave them to Jason Forde. Callanan didn't take them - he knew that Sheedy picked the right man and knew that he had the best interests of the team at heart.

"Sheedy gave him the captaincy because Callanan is a leader. He strives in that sort of a role. We saw that a couple of years ago when he was in and out of the team, but Eamonn O'Shea came in and gave him belief.

"Since then, he has never really looked back. Sheedy came in this year and gave him even more belief.

"I would say that it was said to him at the start of the year 'I don't care about your scores, I want you leading this attack with your work rate.'

"If someone sees your best player doing it, then everyone else copies. Callanan was definitely the leader from day one, back in November."

Tipperary are certainly reaping dividends now.

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