All sporting dynasties have their grand old men, defiant of time, young enough to have their debut afternoon remembered by the grey heads in the stand, senior enough to be cult figures to their teenage team-mates.

In Tipperary, Declan Ryan has become that man. He looks not much different to the flame-haired young gun who emerged for Tipp's return to eminence in 1989. He was a barnstorming centre half forward then, keeping company with the likes of Pat Fox, Aidan Ryan, Colm Bonner and the current boss, Nicky English.

The year before, when they lost the All-Ireland final to Galway on a score of 1-15 to 0-14, Noel Lane, the Connacht side's manager on Sunday, came on for a late cameo in the twilight of his days. Ryan remembers those times like they were yesterday but his forward colleagues Eoin Kelly and Lar Corbett have to consult the VCR for proof.

Ryan has developed into a more substantive version of that '89 hellraiser and operates on the edge of the square these days, a regal, senior talisman to another emerging team.

"Declan has been a tremendous influence for us," noted English last week.

"If you look at last year's quarter-final loss to Galway, in the 15 minutes when the game was there to be won, neither Declan nor Johnny (Leahy) were on the pitch, so it is the influence that they have on the other players that is the key. The younger lads want Declan Ryan to be on the field because the feel more comfortable with him there. He has been a brilliant servant for Tipp and we are delighted to still have him."

Ryan flashes a grin at the notion of himself as a martyr to the jersey, coaxing the new generation through before retiring to the fireside. Standing on the field at Thurles, he holds his hands aloft as an explanation for his longevity.

"Look at this sod. Sure it's like playing on St Andrews. This is the hallowed ground. If we could take it above to Croke Park, it would make it great altogether. It's great being around such a young panel and I still enjoy the training."

Ryan's frame creaks in displeasure only during the initial few weeks, when the frost gathers on idle hurleys and he has to push himself to shed the winter coat. He reckons he has discarded about two stone since the season's start and feels all the better for it.

Ryan's role has changed over time and, unlike so many old warriors, he is happy to accept it. In the semi-final series against Wexford the big man seemed to play within himself; the imperious stroke, the bullish drives were not a salient feature as in times past.

"It didn't go particularly well for me both days out against Wexford but the younger players carried the day for us. Then John Carroll came up to the forward line and really did himself justice so I feel that the players can go into the All-Ireland final with real confidence in themselves now."

He readily admits that in 1991, when he claimed a second All-Ireland, it seemed as if September Sundays would feature heavily on his agenda. Six years passed before Tipp made the pilgrimage again only to take a shaving from Clare in a thriller. It was an All Star season for Ryan, but by then he had begun to appreciate the rarity of such chances.

"To be honest, I am probably more nervous now before big All-Ireland games than when I was when I started. At first, you half expected to be there and I was very fortunate to come into a very good and experienced team."

Now, he sees traces of similar fearlessness in youngsters like Kelly and Eugene O'Neill and it heartens him. When he started out, Tipp's fiercest rivalry was with Galway, now all but forgotten before Sunday's novel pairing gave rise to reflection. Ryan knew it was only a matter of time before the maroon side came again and that it coincides with Tipp's resurgence makes the story neater.

"They were so up for it against Kilkenny, you could see in the first five minutes that they had a superior mental approach and if they come out like that again on Sunday, they'll be a tough team."

A third All-Ireland medal would make for a fine finishing point for his career. Not that he has hinted that retirement will happen soon.

"We'll see, we'll see," he says vaguely. "Sure hopefully, there will be a long winter to have a think about it."