Seamus Callanan had outstanding career and was Tipperary's greatest-ever full forward

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And then there were eight. Quarter-finals beckon in all three championships after some final bits of sifting and sorting at the weekend cleared the decks for the home straight.

The two preliminary quarter-finals went according to general prediction. An end flourish by Sarsfields saw them outlast Nenagh, while Clonoulty/Rossmore did just enough to resist Mullinahone’s stubborn defiance.

As expected Sarsfields were the better side against Nenagh Eire Og, though they needed all their artillery to see out this game, played at Borrisoleigh on Saturday. It was quite an open shootout as you’d expect between these hurling sides.

In the last quarter Nenagh got a run on their opponents, peaked by Sam O’Farrell’s excellent goal off an ensemble move down the left flank. The lead subsequently came back to a single point but, significantly, Sarsfields had the final flourish for the winning scores to secure a four-point success. Three timely points by substitute Eoin Purcell were central to Sarsfields’ advance.

The winners led by five at half-time but Nenagh hung in there, Michael Heffernan’s 0-9 a big contribution, three of those flags from open play. Jake Morris was threatening in attack but Ronan Maher and company managed to restrict him to four points from open play as well as a couple of frees.

A Billy McCarthy goal for Sarsfields, a classic fetch and finish score in the third quarter, was a major item in tilting the balance before Sam O’Farrell’s response ensured tension to the end.

Noteworthy is the fact that over the hour Sarsfields had twelve different scorers, including four defenders supplying 0-6 of their total score. They’re that sort of side, full of classy strikers who’ll punish you from all angles and distances if you’re not tight on them. Indeed, we might add in fifteen wides to further reflect the extent of their shooting over the hour, albeit the tighter confines of the Borrisoleigh pitch facilitates such targeting of the posts.

They’ve drawn an awkward quarter-final opponent in country neighbours Drom/Inch, who’ll relish a pop at the town side. Drom’s solitary county win was back in 2011 and I don’t recall any major knockout games with Sarsfields in recent years.

In the other preliminary quarter-final at the weekend Clonoulty/Rossmore outlasted Mullinahone in an interesting, if error-strewn tie at Templetuohy on Sunday. Puckouts going astray were a regular feature.

The west champions were five-up at half-time and decent value for that margin. Conor Hammersley whipped in a goal from the acutest of angles and that was the major element of their lead. Conor Whelan was unable to start for the south side but he came on when Paul Curran was forced out with injury during the opening period.

In truth Clonoulty always looked likely winners, though Mullinahone didn’t go quietly. A goal by Mikey O’Shea (their best forward and scorer of 1-4) early in the second half bolstered their effort and they kept at it doggedly to the very end. Eoin Kelly made a few useful saves in the second period to keep the door ajar, though their attacking effort faded as the game advanced and the winning goal they needed never looked likely. Still, a two-point margin for periods made for an edgy final phase to the match.

Clonoulty had reshaped their side since going under to Kiladangan, with Jason O’Dwyer back in goal and Danny Slattery restored to defence. Robert Doyle was their main impactor in attack, hitting five from play, though Conor Hammersley scored 1-3 and Cathal Bourke was credited with 0-8, three of those flags from open play.

Jack Ryan made some big catches in the second half. It was sufficient unto the day but Toomevara will provide a different examination now in the quarter-final.

Toome’ have come through unbeaten in their group, showing lively form in their games where Darragh McCarthy’s attacking play has been one of the features. Under Ken Dunne’s management they’ve put in a more impressive stint than previous years, but intensity levels go up from here.

The quarter-finals are fascinating, where Kiladangan play Holycross and Loughmore face Roscrea. It’s been a really tight championship so far with few standout favourites; Toomevara and Loughmore are the only sides to come through unbeaten.

Predictions therefore are likely to come unstuck, though we’ll hazard a guess at Kiladangan, Toomevara, Sarsfields and Loughmore for the semi-finals.

Or course the two intermediate grades are also in the melting pot, with another selection of fascinating quarter-finals on offer. The all-south affair between Killenaule and Swans should be a feature. As south senior champions Killenaule might be fancied but on past experience anything is possible, given the internal dynamics of that division.

Elsewhere Lorrha are tipped to dispatch Clonakenny, Cashel KC are given a slight nod against Gortnahoe/Glengoole and Burgess are fancied to master Sarsfields’ B.

The intermediate is no less engaging. The clash of Boherlahan and Kickhams will draw much local intrigue – let’s hope the score keeper at Leahy Park gets things right! The all-north affair of Moneygall and Borrisokane is a big-ticket item in the series. Cappawhite versus Kilsheelan and Drom v Golden completes the list. Who’ll make the semis? Possibly Moneygall, Boherlahan, Kilsheelan and Drom.

Elsewhere, the announced retirement of Seamus Callanan was no surprise but still brings finality to what was an outstanding career. He mentioned in his departing message that he had the privilege of playing with some of the greats of Tipperary hurling. I rather think they were the privileged ones to have played with him.

His scoring record over the years was just immense and there isn’t space here to go through all the details, except perhaps to reference his 3-9 against Galway in the 2015 semi-final. He was unmarkable that day and the pity was that not enough of his colleagues came even close to the same standard to get the team over the line.

His career trajectory offers a great example to aspiring players. From that tall, skinny youngster that came on as a minor in 2006, he spent his share of time on the bench before eventually blossoming into the goal machine that he became. The message: patience and perseverance are essential.

For some time now he’s been the only one of the current crop of Tipperary players to have a league medal. Actually, his medal collection is hugely impressive, topped by his three All-Irelands, four All-Stars and Hurler of the Year. He was nominated four times for the latter prize and the absurdity of the 2016 decision still stands out.

Sometimes noted goal scorers, as in soccer for example, can be a touch selfish; their speciality is putting the ball in the net and they often don’t contribute much elsewhere. You could never say that about Seamie Callanan. His unselfish workrate for both club and county has been exemplary and look at the scores he set up for others.

It’s a huge claim, but I’d venture to suggest he was our greatest ever full forward.

Finally, the passing of John Kelly, Cappawhite, breaks another link with the Tipperary team of ’71. That All-Ireland win is a standout one for me because it was my first “in the flesh” experience of the big day. I can still recall the Cappawhite man grappling with Kilkenny’s Ned Byrne, a man who also made a name for himself as a rugby player.

John won a Cork championship with UCC and later played for Kilruane when he was teaching in Borrisokane before returning to his native Cappawhite. He was a hardy defender.

In the eighties he was part of the Tipp senior management. Always affable and approachable, I had great regard for the man.

The sympathies of the column to the family and peaceful rest to his soul.