Liam will be going to a new home on Sunday evening
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
All-Ireland SHC Final
Cork vs Tipperary
As we approach the third Sunday in July, the biggest game in the intercounty hurling season is upon us. All roads lead to Croke Park for the players and supporters of both Cork and Tipperary as the battle for the Liam MacCarthy reaches its conclusion, barring the need for a replay which would stretch the season into August. The buzz for the big day out in Dublin is always a brilliant thing, the quest for tickets, accommodation, restaurants, transport etc. Unfortunately for Gaels on Noreside, we don’t have this buzz to worry about, but there will still be many local eyes on the national broadcaster’s coverage along with some who have been lucky enough to secure a ticket for the decider.
Almost a fortnight ago, our senior hurlers fell to neighbours’ Tipperary in a pulsating semi-final clash at the Jones’ Road venue. In a game not without a little controversy, it was Liam Cahill’s outfit that got over the line, with just two points separating the rivals at the long whistle. And that is where the controversy lay. The scoreboard inside the stadium had The Premier County ahead by 3 points, which meant Kilkenny were trying to manufacture a goal scoring opportunity to force extra-time, when in fact popping over a couple of points would have led to another twenty minutes of rip-roaring fare between the sides. As a player in the cauldron of Croker, you can see how our stickmen would have glanced at the display to confirm what they needed to do. Did Kilkenny work opportunities in stoppage time to tag on two points? Yes, bloody yes! Were Tipperary the better team over the 74-odd minutes of battle, yes, probably, yes. There was no guarantee that despite having a numerical advantage over the blue and gold clad side that the Cats would be won had the game gone to extra-time, but you can’t help but feel that had they have been aware of the ‘real’ difference, scoring wise between the teams that we might just might, have notched the points.
After the game the GAA issued a statement, “The GAA can confirm that the official score at the end of the Tipperary v Kilkenny GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final was 4-20 to 0-30. The GAA acknowledges there was confusion over the final score. The CCCC is awaiting the full referees report in order to establish how the initial mistake occurred”.
Somewhat surprisingly, RTE also had the score incorrect, but fixed that error by time The Sunday Game aired later that evening. I must admit, my notes had the score correct, it left me questioning my concentration, had I missed a score? I for one thought the official scoreboard in Drumcondra surely was more accurate than a 53-year-old man with a fetish for Specsavers! We now know that Wexford whistler, James Owens had the correct score recorded in his book, so our boys will have to know for the next time to keep badgering the ref if it’s a close game. I think it’s fair to say that the Kilkenny County Board were never going to appeal or make a big deal out of the scoreboard issue. I think the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) would have thrown any appeal out quickly.
Now that’s out of my system, let’s look at Sunday’s game.
Cork and Tipp go head-to-head on Sunday, (throw-in 3:30pm) in what is the first All-Ireland Hurling final between the two Munster counties. Given the provinces ‘domination’ in hurling over the last decade or so, it’s probably no surprise that this will be the sixth all Munster decider clash. Kilkenny’s conquerors Tipperary have tasted success in the shape of Liam more recently than this year’s opponents, having lifted the big prize in 2019, enough said, moving on. Cork on the other hand must rewind some 20-odd years for their last triumph when they defended their title in 2005. Cork are currently the second most successful county in terms of senior titles with 30, just the six behind, you know who. The Premier County are hot on the heels of the Rebels and are just two titles behind the Leesiders.
Pat Ryan’s charges will be appearing in their second consecutive final, having lost out in last season’s decider to The Banner and some Tony Kelly magic. Cork regrouped and went again this year and will be aiming to go one better at the expense of Liam Cahill’s men. This season the Rebels signaled their intent by claiming the Allianz League title, defeating Sunday’s opponents in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on a scoreline of 3-24 to 0-23. This was the second meeting between the sides, Tipp having won the earlier league meeting in Thurles, but came unstuck in the Allianz final and the Munster championship group game which was also played at the Supervalu sponsored Cork venue.
In Patrick Horgan, the Leesiders possess the top scorer in championship history, a Rebel TJ if you like. They also have the rampaging duo of Alan Connolly and Darragh Fitzgibbon. Blackrock’s Connolly appears to relish playing The Premier County and has notched 5-1 in three previous championship meetings. Fitzgibbon is likely to be picked up by the experienced Ronan Maher, and this could be a great battle in dictating which side gets on top. Cork skipper Rob Downey is likely to shadow the lively Jake Morris, while his younger brother Eoin could renew acquaintances with John McGrath, having locked horns with him in the round robin game in April. Sean O’Donoghue will no doubt say hello again to Darragh McCarthy, the latter will need to temper his temper! Niall O’Leary could be the right fit for Jason Forde.
In terms of Tipp, the management team made a change to the placed ball taker against the Cats, with Silvermines Forde taking over duty from rising star McCarthy, perhaps sensing the colour red was coming. It will be interesting to see if they revert to the norm, with the Toomevara player resuming this vital part of the game. The Premier County have really risen from the ashes this season, following what was a difficult and forgetful campaign for them in 2024. Getting to the league decider was a sign of progress, while the long and winding road to Croke Park saw them overcome Laois and Galway with plenty to spare and a 2-point (accuracy guaranteed) victory over Kilkenny. During the semifinal win Tipp had great showings from Conor Stakelum, who was a late change in the team named, alongside the usual suspects of John McGrath, Jake Morris and Jason Forde. Throw Darragh McCarthy, Sam O’Farrell and goalscoring sub sensation Oisin O’Donoghue into the mix and there are plenty of threats in blue and gold. How the Tipp defence deal with the Cork threats will be key also. Michael Breen may look to curb Pa Horgan’s influence in Croker, while the athletic Eoghan Connolly may tag Brian Hayes. Some mouthwatering clashes all over the pitch.
Perhaps Cork are more seasoned and have that hurt from ‘24 to draw on but as Tipperary have shown this season, their complex appears to allow them to go to the well and come out with plenty of water. Both sides like to strike majors, which should mean the netminders are busy at both ends. Galway’s Liam Gordon will be the man in the middle and the Killimor clubman won’t stand for any nonsense.
The head says Cork, but in hurling you just never know…
