A Historic All-Ireland Final
Before yesterday’s All-Ireland final, if someone had predicted a 15-point winning margin, the assumption would have been that Cork would be the victors. The Rebel County, one of the giants of hurling, have gone an entire generation without winning an All-Ireland title. But long-suffering Cork hurling fans were confident 2025 was destined to be their year.
A league title was backed up by victory in the Munster championship. Both competitions featured heavy defeats of Tipperary. But Cork had fallen at this stage in recent years, notably losing narrowly to Clare in 2024, so there were lingering doubts. Cork entered Croke Park as the overwhelming favourites to win the title, with a team playing an exciting brand of hurling.
Up against them, though, was the auld enemy of Tipperary – their great Munster rivals. Fuelled by a series of under-age title wins for the county, Tipp burst back on to the scene this season with a mix of youth and experience that saw them through a hard road to yesterday’s final.
The stage was set for a clash of the giants. Although the backdoor system has been in place since 1997, Cork and Tipperary have never met in an All-Ireland final in the intervening 28 years. The pundits backed Cork to end the drought. But Tipp were capable of spoiling the party, just as they did 15 years earlier when they denied Kilkenny a record five in a row of wins.
Tipp manager Liam Cahill is viewed as a progressive modern manager, but the luck had not gone his way in his opening two seasons in charge. Tipperary’s tactics of playing a sweeper seemed to contain the goal threat of pacey Cork attackers. The strategy worked until injury time in the first half, when the Rebels got a goal to go into the break ahead head by 1-16 to 13 points. A six-point margin is nothing in hurling, but Cork did seem to have the upper hand if they could push on.
The joy of hurling is it’s never predictable. Tipp burst out in the second half and got a goal and five points without reply. With the Premier County in front, it was still expected that Cork would mount a challenge to create a thrilling climax. But it never happened.
While Tipp just got better and better, Cork never got going. The Rebels’ capitulation saw them score only two points in the entire second half. Tipp went on to win by 3-27 to Cork’s 1-18. The barely believable second half scoreboard was Tipp 3-14 to Cork’s 0-2.
New Heroes for Tipperary
Tipp has produced some of the greatest hurlers of all time. Legendary names such as John Doyle, Tony Reddin, Jimmy Doyle, Babs Keating, Nicky English, Tommy Dunne, Lar Corbett and Pádraic Maher all trip off the tongue when speaking of hurling lore. Now Premier County fans have new icons to idolise in Ronan Maher, John McGrath and Darragh McCarthy.
In lifting the Liam MacCarthy Cup, team captain Maher remembered a fallen hero, former team-mate Dillon Quirke, who died three years ago after taking ill while playing for his club. “We carried your spirit with us every step of the way,” the Thurles man said.
It was a classy tribute from Maher. Tipperary showed form is temporary, but class is permanent.
A New Era for Hurling
The victory marks a significant moment for Tipperary, as they have finally broken through after years of near misses. This win is not just about the trophy; it’s about the legacy and the future of hurling in the county. The blend of young talent and experienced players has created a formidable team that can compete at the highest level.
For Cork, the loss will be a bitter pill to swallow. Despite their strong start, they failed to maintain their momentum and ultimately fell short. The performance in the second half was a stark contrast to their first-half efforts, leaving many fans questioning what went wrong.
This final will be remembered for its dramatic shifts and the incredible resilience shown by Tipperary. It serves as a reminder that in hurling, anything can happen, and no team is ever safe. The game was a testament to the unpredictable nature of the sport and the passion it brings to fans across Ireland.
As the celebrations continue for Tipperary, the focus will now shift to the future. Both teams will look to build on their performances, with Cork determined to bounce back and Tipp eager to defend their newfound success. The All-Ireland final has once again proven that hurling is more than just a game; it’s a cultural phenomenon that unites communities and creates lasting memories.
