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RTÉ News
19-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Cork v Tipperary: Routes to the All-Ireland final
An all-Munster All-Ireland Hurling Final for the third time in six years, but a first ever meeting of Tipperary and Cork in the decider. The Rebels were many people's prediction to get to this stage from early in 2025, but Tipp have had to put a few bad seasons behind them to reach the decider. But, how did they actually get here? Tipperary Coming into 2025 having failed to get out of Munster twice in the previous four years, and fallen at the All-Ireland quarter-final stage in the other two seasons, Tipperary were not many overly fancied to get out of the provincial round-robin. But their National League performances suggested a team that was beginning to find form as they won five of their six games, including their only victory over Sunday's opponents, a 2-22 to 1-21 triumph at Thurles. That run got them a spot in the Division 1A final, but they were outclassed by the Rebels losing by 10 points, with much of the damage being done in the first half. The question was whether they could produce that league form when it really mattered, and we got our answer on day one. They made a statement by drawing with the team that were chasing the seven-in-a-row of Mick Mackey Cups; Limerick. Tipperary 2-23 Limerick 2-23 This was proper championship fare, with the teams level on no fewer than 12 occasions. The Treaty men led with little left in added time at the death, but Darragh McCarthy's free earned the Premier a crucial point. A second meeting of Tipp and Cork in 22 days, and that was even more emphatic than the league final. Darragh McCarthy's early red card put Tipp on the backfoot, and it was a case of déjà vu as the Rebels plundered the Premier for three early goals to take a stranglehold on the game. Tipperary 4-18 Clare 2-21 Tipperary needed a response, with just one point from two games, and they secured it against the defending All-Ireland champions. John McGrath and Andrew Ormond both scored two first-half goals and it looked as if they were cruising to victory. The Banner, playing for their season, battled back and it needed a late flourish of points - four of the last five - to win the day for Tipp by three points. Tipperary 1-30 Waterford 1-21 A first championship win over Waterford in five years, and a first championship triumph at Thurles in the same time, this one was close throughout before Oisín O'Donoghue's late goal - a first at senior level - killed off the Déise challenge. Tipperary 2-28 Galway 2-17 Having lost to Galway at the same stage two years previously, Tipp were forewarned about the potential from a Galway side who had underperformed in their Leinster final defeat to Kilkenny. Five up at the break, the gap was down to two when Colm Molloy got the Tribesmen's first goal, but the Munster men then upped it to move clear, with Oisín O'Donoghue's goal burying Galway. Back to Croke Park for the first time in championship since they lifted the Liam MacCarthy in 2019, Tipperary and Kilkenny was close throughout. The Cats made the better start but goals from John McGrath, Darragh McCarthy and Jason Forde had Tipp four up at the break. And, they would need a late goal from Oisín O'Donoghue to finally put this game to bed, a finish worthy of any All-Ireland semi-final. Back in the final for the first time in five years, Tipperary will need to find a massive performance against a side they've lost to by a combined 25 points in their last two games. Cork Cork entered 2025 having lost last year's final to Clare, and were being talked of as one of the potential champions from early in the year. Their National League run suggested a team that were extremely determined to go that extra yard this time around. They drew with Limerick and lost to Tipperary in the league stage, but when it mattered they put the Premier to the sword in the Division 1A final. The most successful county in the history of the Munster Championship, Cork headed for the provincial competition without a title in seven years. And they were set to open up their 2025 championship campaign against the side who had claimed both national titles a year previously. Cork 2-24 Clare 3-21 Cork appeared to be cruising to victory at Ennis, a satisfying way to give the side that beat them in last year's All-Ireland final a kicking. But then, incredibly, Clare came from 12 down at half-time to earn a share of the spoils, with Declan Dalton's equaliser at the death saving the Rebels from starting with a defeat. Cork 4-27 Tipperary 0-24 Tipperary felt Cork's wrath a week later as the Rebels showed no mercy against a 14-man Tipp outfit, who had seen Darragh McCarthy sent off inside 60 seconds for some off the ball stuff. Tim O'Mahony, Patrick Horgan and Alan Connolly got the early goals to remind everyone of how dangerous Cork could be in front of goal as they went in 10 up at the break. Stung by the Banner comeback a week before, Cork were relentless in the second half with Declan Dalton's goal putting a nice sheen on the scoreboard. A welcome three-week break after their league triumph, and Munster round-robin openers, Cork headed to the Gaelic Grounds looking to continue their 2024 form agains the Treaty men. Instead, it was the lowpoint of the Rebels' 2025 campaign, as they were thoroughly outclassed by John Kiely's hyper-focused outfit. 15 down at the break, they would end up shipping as a big a defeat as they had in the 2021 All-Ireland final to the same opposition. Cork 2-25 Waterford 1-22 It all came down to this clash with neighbours Waterford at the Páirc, with an end-to-end opening half finishing with the Rebels one up, despite playing against the breeze. Goals from Brian Hayes and Patrick Horgan put Cork in control but the Déise battled, rattling the net themselves through Stephen Bennett. But Cork showed character as Diarmuid Healy, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Cormac O'Brien and Conor Lehane hit late points to book a spot in the Munster final, and a rematch with Limerick. Cork 1-30* Limerick 2-27 This was night and day from the Cork performance against Limerick in the round-robin as the sides were level 15 times over the course of the normal and extra time. Four up at the break, the Rebels had their chances to win it in normal time, but they needed Darragh Fitzgibbon's late 65 to force penalties. Alan Connolly's penalty eventually proved to be the winner after Declan Hannon missed his attempt. Cork 7-26 Dublin 2-21 Dublin were the surprise package in the All-Ireland semi-final but Cork were not feeling charitable as they tore the Metropolitans apart early on. A brace of goals each from Brian Hayes and Alan Connolly had the Rebels 10 up at the break and they pushed hard in the second half as Tim O'Mahony also scored two, before Connolly completed the hat-trick. A third trip to the final in five seasons, Cork have the chance to bring 20 years of hurt to an end in the decider, and complete a clean sweep of trophies in 2025.
The Irish Sun
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Cian Lynch reveals he had no idea penalties were coming before Munster final heartbreak against Cork
LIMERICK skipper Cian Lynch only learned that the Munster SHC final would be settled on penalties when the teams were still deadlocked after extra-time. Twelve months after they became the first team ever to win six Mick Mackey Cups on the spin, the Treaty's part in the making of 2 Cian Lynch reveals he had no idea the Munster SHC final was heading to penalties 2 Limerick captain Lynch and Limerick were gutted after the defeat to Cork on Saturday Their provincial title was relinquished on Saturday following a defeat to Lynch said: 'It's something we're not used to. On the winning side of it, you're delighted with it. It's great credit to Cork. "They got the victory in penalties and the game could have gone either way. "Look, it's something to obviously review. Penalties… like, hurling is so instinctive. It's an art form, it's an expression. READ MORE ON GAA "Why do people play it? It's because it's a 15-man game. It's a chance to have a man on the shoulder to support. "But when it comes to penalties, other than the five guys and the goalie, I suppose you're helpless standing on the sideline watching. It's tough for guys, but it is what it is." Cork ran out 3-2 winners in the shootout at the TUS Gaelic Grounds. But Lynch expected more extra-time to be played after Darragh Fitzgibbon landed a '65 to bring Cork back to level terms with what turned out to be the last puck of open play. Most read in GAA Hurling He said: "I suppose in my own head initially, you think there's going to be an extra five minutes each half because that's the way it was before, wasn't it? "But I suppose when it's said it's penalties, you just accept that and that's obviously the way it is." GAA fans 'loved seeing and hearing' the late Micheal O Muircheartaigh as he features in RTE documentary Hell for Leather Lynch admits that even at the end of extra-time, he would have preferred to settle the final via a replay in Cork instead. The two-time Hurler of the Year, who made way for Diarmaid Byrnes just before the shootout, insisted: "Of course you would. You love playing the sport. "There are pros and cons to either. I suppose it's not for me to make a point or make a comment on what's the right thing to do, but you'd love to have another crack at it. "Any team would. But for us, it's just about accepting that that's in the past now." Lynch explained that he 'wouldn't be someone that's known to stand over a free or a penalty' when quizzed about his own absence from Limerick's quintet of penalty takers. Although the teams could not be separated following more than 90 minutes of hurling, he also rejected the suggestion that it was ultimately a game Speaking as Limerick's representative at the All-Ireland SHC launch at Offaly's Faithful Fields, Lynch said: "It's still a defeat. Obviously you look at the time played and so on. "Neither team won and it went to penalties and that's just the way it was. 'You obviously are disappointed. You see an opposition collecting a trophy and celebrating with their fans and stuff. "That's tough to take. You just have to dust yourself off, regroup, process that feeling and try to drive on again." While they could now be on course for an Lynch added: "That's something that's way beyond our thought process. I think next Saturday week is our main focus." Meanwhile, despite being part of the St Thomas' side who defeated Ballygunner in a shootout in an All-Ireland Club SHC semi-final, Fintan Burke is not an advocate for determining a winner via penalties. The Galway defender, who had his attempt saved by Stephen O'Keeffe in the December 2023 clash, said: "Obviously delighted we won, but at the same time I'd be of the opinion of a replay. That's just personal. "I don't think penalties are a fair reflection of where a team is at – as in, you could have five great penalty takers and maybe the other team only has three. "It's not really reflecting on hurling throughout the team."
The Irish Sun
07-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Cork crash Limerick's seven-in-a-row dream with epic shootout triumph in Munster SHC final
AT THE end of an enthralling duel that took nearly 100 minutes and nine penalties to determine a winner, Limerick's pursuit of a seventh Munster SHC title on the spin ended just as it began. The defeat to Advertisement 2 Cork captain Robert Downey lifts the Mick Mackey Cup after his side's epic win over Limerick in the Munster final 2 Limerick goalkeeper Nickie Quaid is beaten for a goal by Shane Kingston of Cork in the penalty shoot-out of the Munster final But after making history last year by becoming Munster's first six-in-a-row winners, they were finally overthrown by another loss to the Rebels at the same venue. Just 20 days since they were annihilated by The defending champions, who had never been beaten in their 14 previous major finals under John Kiely, came up short by the slimmest of margins. In the first top-tier hurling final to be settled on penalties – which was witnessed by a crowd of 43,580 – there was never more than a puck of a ball between the teams. Advertisement READ MORE ON GAA Limerick initially had the upper hand in the shootout. Diarmaid Byrnes and Aaron Gillane aced their first two attempts, while Darragh Fitzgibbon was thwarted by Nickie Quaid with Cork's first. But the lead then shifted dramatically. Barry Murphy fired wide for Limerick and Tom Morrissey was denied by Patrick Collins. In response, Conor Lehane, Shane Kingston and Alan Connolly all converted for Cork. Declan Hannon was then faced with a must-score effort. Advertisement Most read in GAA Hurling However, the silverware will spend the next 12 months across the border after the man who captained Limerick to their six Mick Mackey Cups missed the target. For the first time since Cork achieved the feat against Tipperary in Thurles in 2006, Munster champions were crowned on their opponent's turf. 'Like something out of the French Revolution' - RTE GAA pundit Donal Og Cusack slams Dublin star's reckless swipe Pat Ryan's side now have an Limerick must head down the back-door route towards a quarter-final for the first time since 2018. Advertisement The input of referee Thomas Walsh is sure to draw considerable scrutiny when all is said and done. Several calls by Waterford whistler, who had to retire injured in extra-time, left both sides with reasons to feel aggrieved. But when Limerick conduct their post-mortem, the hitting of seven extra-time wides is sure to feature prominently. That being said, Cork registered 16 – twice as many as the opposition – in normal time. Advertisement Mark Coleman and Séamus Harnedy set the tone for Cork as the visitors, playing with the aid of the wind, raced into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead inside the opening six minutes. But with Tom Morrissey and Cian Lynch being afforded far too much space, Limerick were soon back on level terms. Despite the looming presence of Kyle Hayes, Shane Barrett's influence on proceedings began to grow. And when Harnedy registered his second score of the game, Cork's three-point lead was restored by the end of the first quarter. Advertisement Adam English, having already seen a shot saved by Patrick Collins, was then denied another goal chance by some good Eoin Downey defending. But Downey should have done better just moments later Aidan O'Connor marked his first Championship start with the game's opening goal. The Ballybrown forward collected a ball from Lynch, before turning inside the All-Star full-back and beating Collins with a batted finish. A 22nd-minute point from David Reidy then had Limerick ahead for the first time. However, Cork's response was positive and they landed seven of the next ten scores. Advertisement The key contribution was made by Barrett, who found the net with a superb first-time finish after being teed up by Brian Hayes. When Darragh Fitzgibbon pointed in the final minute of normal time at the end of the first half, Cork led by 1-14 to 1-9. EXTRA TIME Thomas Walsh's refereeing of the opening period was very much of the let-it-flow variety. Much to the frustration of Rebels boss Pat Ryan, he gave Mike Casey the benefit of the doubt when he appeared to pull down Hayes as the men in red looked to stretch their lead before the break. Advertisement Limerick went up the other end to claim the last score of the half, as Cork's advantage was cut to four points at the interval by Reidy's third of the game. Tempers then flared between the management tickets as members of both backroom teams jostled when Ryan approached Walsh to vent his ire. Shane O'Brien, who had a point to prove after being dropped for O'Connor, wasted no time in doing so. Within a few minutes of his introduction, the Kilmallock forward netted to bring Limerick level after availing of a brilliant Aaron Gillane assist. Advertisement Cork only had three Patrick Horgan frees to show for their efforts during a disjointed third quarter. But a gripping point-for-point slugfest unfolded thereafter. Cork got their noses back five on five occasions, only for Limerick to restore parity each time. The Leesiders had a let-off of their own too when Lynch appeared to be barged over by a push in the back from Rob Downey after Will O'Donoghue attempted to play the Limerick skipper through on goal. Moments after Cork bemoaned a close-range Hayes effort being waved wide, the home side edged in front for the first time in the second half through a point from Darragh O'Donovan. Advertisement In the first of four minutes of additional time, a Horgan free evened the contest again. Both teams then squandered match-winning opportunities. Gillane botched a free from a tricky angle and O'Donovan left an attempt short. Cork had their chances too, as Robbie O'Flynn and Ciarán Joyce missed the target. Hayes also made a heroic block to deny Horgan. There was still nothing to separate the sides at the midway point of extra-time after they traded three points apiece. Advertisement By then, a gruelling duel took its toll on ref Walsh, who had to be replaced by line umpire James Owens after going down with cramp. With Kingston, Lehane and Tommy O'Connell contributing 0-6 in extra-time, Cork's bench had a massive impact. Kingston's third point left them one in front but it looked like their chance was blown when Limerick regained the lead through Cathal O'Neill and Gillane, who nailed a free after O'Brien was brought down by Damien Cahalane. One additional minute was signalled, yet the game was in its fourth when a chance of a leveller presented itself to Cork. When Fitzgibbon dropped a free into the square, it was spilled for a '65 by Quaid. Advertisement In a clutch moment, Fitzgibbon was not found wanting as he landed the score that set up the historic penalty shootout – and the most riveting of finales that Cork fans are unlikely to forget in a hurry. CORK 1-30 LIMERICK 2-27 (AET) Cork win 3-2 on penalties CORK: P Collins; D Cahalane 0-1, S O'Donoghue, E Downey 0-1; C O'Brien, C Joyce, M Coleman; T O'Mahony 0-1, D Fitzgibbon 0-4, 1f, 1 '65; D Healy 0-3, S Barrett 1-3, S Harnedy 0-2; A Connolly 0-1, B Hayes 0-1, P Horgan 0-7, 4f. Advertisement Subs: R Downey for O'Brien 54 mins, T O'Connell 0-1 for O'Mahony 59, S Kingston 0-3 for Connolly 65, R O'Flynn for Harnedy 68, C Lehane 0-2 for Horgan 70+3, N O'Leary for O'Donoghue 72, B Roche for Healy 80, Connolly for Coleman 84. LIMERICK: N Quaid; S Finn, D Morrissey, M Casey; D Byrnes 0-1f, K Hayes, B Nash; W O'Donoghue, A English 0-3; G Hegarty 0-2, C Lynch, T Morrissey 0-2; A O'Connor 1-1, A Gillane 0-9, 7f, D Reidy 0-3. Subs: S O'Brien 1-2 for O'Connor 42 mins, P Casey 0-1 for Reidy 55, C O'Neill 0-1 for T Morrissey 55, D O'Donovan 0-1 for O'Donoghue 65, B Murphy for M Casey 71, D Hannon 0-1 for Byrnes 71, T Morrissey for Hegarty 79, S Flanagan for Lynch (temp) 90-92, Byrnes for Lynch 94. REFEREE: T Walsh (Waterford) Advertisement
