All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final – Tipperary 2-29 Kilkenny 2-20

Tipperary defeated Kilkenny by 2-29 to 2-20 in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final on Sunday September 4th at Croke Park.

Tipperary are All Ireland champions https://t.co/W5xaDm3Ut8 pic.twitter.com/iQd5XKdxtl

— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) September 4, 2016

Tipperary are All Ireland champions

Tipperary 2-29 Kilkenny 2-20

By John Fogarty for the Irish Examiner newspaper

A barnstorming response to an early second half Kilkenny goal was the catalyst for Tipperary’s first All-Ireland title triumph in six years.

Kevin Kelly’s 42nd minute put last year’s winners two points up but Tipperary’s reply was the mark of champions. Man of the match Seamus Callanan, scoring one of 13 points, added a free and they were back level through substitute Jason Forde.

Callanan was sharp from play two minutes later and then John O’Dwyer found the net, rounding Paul Murphy after Cathal Barrett had broke from defence to send the ball in his direction.

After Forde and John McGrath had shots saved, Pádraic Maher found his range to cap a 1-4 unanswered rally, which was arrested by a TJ Reid point. But Tipperary tagged on another three points in succession to take a seven-point lead.

With 15 minutes of normal time, Kilkenny looked beaten yet Gleeson had to be big to block a Kelly goalbound shot. Pádraig Walsh scored a brace of points yet each of them was answered as was Reid’s 59th minute free by Forde. A Kelly sideline was more than cancelled out by John McGrath’s 61st minute goal, when he was fed by his older brother Noel who had stolen possession, one of many robs the Tipperary forward line achieved over the afternoon.

Richie Hogan followed it up with a goal but O’Dwyer was firing over again and then Eoin Murphy had to be level to another John McGrath effort. Kilkenny mustered just a Reid free in the dying stages but Tipperary kept the scoreboard ticking over with efforts from Callanan and Patrick Maher’s second point closed out the game.

Incredibly, the sides were level on 10 occasions in the first half and were never more than two points apart, Kilkenny enjoying that advantage after nine minutes and Tipperary claiming it on the cusp of half-time when O’Dwyer sent over a long-range free to give them a 0-14 to 0-12 interval lead.

Tipperary hit eight wides in the first half and will have felt they were the better team considering how much Kilkenny had to rely on frees – five of them coming from Reid – and the ability of the Tipperary forwards to put so much pressure on Kilkenny’s backs as they attempted to clear their lines.

Ronan Maher had Reid and Richie Hogan for company but impressed on both and the Cats’ pair, particularly Hogan, were relatively anonymous in general play. Both Callanan and O’Dwyer were exquisite at times although Callanan was blocked down with a relatively easy free in the 16th minute.

Kilkenny did have goal chances in the form of a Darren Gleeson save from Colin Fennelly in the 19th minute and then Eoin Larkin pushing wide a ground shot when Reid delivered long in the 24th minute although Patrick Maher and Callanan also had opportunities which flew over the crossbar.

Scorers for Tipperary: S. Callanan (0-13, 3 frees, 1 65); J. O’Dwyer (1-5, 0-1 sideline, 0-1 free); J. McGrath (1-3); J. Forde, Patrick Maher (0-2 each), N. McGrath, S. Kennedy, D. McCormack, Pádraic Maher (0-1 each).

Scorers for Kilkenny: T.J. Reid (0-11, 10 frees, 1 65); K. Kelly (1-2, 0-1 sideline); R. Hogan (1-1); E. Larkin, P. Walsh (0-2 each); W. Walsh, C. Buckley (0-1 each).

TIPPERARY: D. Gleeson; C. Barrett, J. Barry, M. Cahill; S. Kennedy, R. Maher, Pádraic Maher; B. Maher (c), M. Breen; D. McCormack, Patrick Maher, N. McGrath; J. McGrath, S. Callanan, J. O’Dwyer
Subs for Tipperary: J. Forde for M. Breen (45); N. O’Meara for D. McCormack (62); D. Maher for M. Cahill (65); K. Bergin for N. McGrath (70); T. Hamill for S. Kennedy (70+3).

KILKENNY: E. Murphy; P. Murphy, J. Holden, S. Prendergast (c); P. Walsh, K. Joyce, C. Buckley; T.J. Reid, C. Fogarty; W. Walsh, R. Hogan, E. Larkin; K. Kelly, C. Fennelly, L. Blanchfield
Subs for Kilkenny: R. Lennon for K. Joyce, L. Ryan for E. Larkin (both 60).

Referee: B. Gavin (Offaly).

GAA.ie previews Sunday's @KilkennyCLG v @TipperaryGAA All Ireland SHC Final #KKvTIPPhttps://t.co/pJ3FrNHO19 pic.twitter.com/cjn5j2JsaR

— The GAA (@officialgaa) September 2, 2016

Team News

With the countdown well and truly on to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final on Sunday next, September 4th at 3.30pm in Croke Park, the Tipperary team to face Kilkenny has just been announced by manager Michael Ryan.

Showing one change from the semi-final line up, John O’Dwyer comes in at top of the right with John McGrath moving to top of the left.

In all there are five All-Ireland Final debutants in Tipp’s starting XV combining a mix of youth and experience as Tipperary go in search of their first title since 2010.

The Tipperary team lines out as follows;

1. Darren Gleeson – Portroe
2. Cathal Barrett – Holycross-Ballycahill
3. James Barry – Upperchurch-Drombane
4. Michael Cahill – Thurles Sarsfields
5. Seamus Kennedy – St. Marys
6. Ronan Maher – Thurles Sarsfields
7. Padraic Maher – Thurles Sarsfields
8. Brendan Maher (Capt.) – Borris-Ileigh
9. Michael Breen – Ballina
10. Dan McCormack – Borris-Ileigh
11. Patrick Maher – Lorrha-Dorrha
12. Noel McGrath – Loughmore-Castleiney
13. John O’Dwyer – Killenaule
14. Seamus Callanan – Drom & Inch
15. John McGrath – Loughmore-Castleiney

The clock is winding down to the greatest day in the GAA hurling calendar as next Sunday, September 4th draws ever nearer when Tipperary will take on Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final, with throw in at 3.30pm in Croke Park.

While the rivalry between both sets of supporters will be reaching fever pitch ahead of the final and bragging rights and banter at an all-time high, the same can’t be said of the teams. With nothing between the sides in recent times, the respect both sides have for each other is a bond which is unique and has helped mould and shape the huge tradition of rivalry among supporters and is a living testament to the values of the Gaelic Athletic Association.

However, once the first whistle is blown it will be a frenzy of ferocious tackling and work rate, a place not for the faint hearted so mere mortals need not apply. This is the hour when the descendants of Cú Chulainn will head into combat with county pride and passion at stake. Invariably the team who performs to its greatest potential will emerge victorious after what promises to be an encapsulating seventy six or so minutes with supporters held spell bound by the artistry and skill of those on the battle field before them.

Tipperary this year have shown they have the credentials and attributes to reach the summit of hurling’s greatest prize yet all the while knowing that it will take a mammoth effort to dethrone the reigning title holders on Sunday. Kilkenny will more than likely be installed as favourites by many as they go in search of three in a row but the hurling folk from the Premier County and beyond are looking to Tipperary for the inspiration and drive to seize the day for the Blue and Gold.

The last meeting between the sides in championship action was the twin All Ireland Final affair of 2014. As so well documented at the time and indeed for a long while after, it was a Hawkeye decision which ensured both sides would return to headquarters for round two when the original gripping instalment finished level in what was another modern day classic between the sides. Three weeks later the matter was laid to rest as Tipperary though trying valiantly once more were unable to halt the ‘cats’ as they lifted the prize.

Redemption for Tipperary on Sunday would not be disputed as the hurling world holds its breath in expectation of another classic. For Tipp folk though a dour one point win would suffice as too many classics have left the faithful parked on the horizon of hope waiting for a new dawn to blossom. Sunday is the latest chance for hurling brightness to descend upon the Tipperary landscape, a landscape restless and expectant and waiting to explode should the God’s of Cú Chulainn favour our brave combatants, let’s hope this time they do.

The referee on Sunday will be Brian Gavin (Offaly) who takes charge of his fourth All-Ireland Final, having previously refereed the 2011 final and replayed 2014 final between Tipperary and Kilkenny as well as the drawn 2013 decider between Cork and Clare.

On behalf of all Tipperary Supporters we send every best wish to the team led by Captain Brendan Maher (Borris Ileigh) and the management team of manager Michael Ryan (Upperchurch-Drombane), coach – Declan Fanning (Killenaule), selectors – John Madden (Lorrha-Dorrha) and Conor Stakelum (Borris-Ileigh) and sincerely hope that Sunday will be a most joyous day for the blue and gold.

It started on May 1 with the first round of the Leinster ‘round robin’ – now four months and 27 games later, it’s down to two contenders as Kilkenny and Tipperary prepare to battle it out for the Liam MacCarthy Cup in next Sunday’s GAA hurling senior All-Ireland final in Croke Park.

Throw-in will be at 3.30, with Brian Gavin (Offaly) as referee. The senior game will be preceded by the Electric Ireland Minor Hurling Final between Limerick and Tipperary (1.15).

KILKENNY v TIPPERARY
They meet in the final for the 20th time, with Tipperary leading 10-8, with one draw, from the previous 19. They last met in the final in 2014 when Kilkenny won a dramatic replay, having also beaten Tipperary in the 2011 and 2009 finals, while Tipp won in 2010.

PATHS TO THE FINAL: KILKENNY
Kilkenny 1-25 Dublin 0-16 (Leinster semi-final)
Kilkenny 1-26 Galway 0-22 (Leinster final)
Kilkenny 1-21 Waterford 0-24 (All-Ireland semi-final)
Kilkenny 2-19 Waterford 2-17 (All-Ireland semi-final replay)
Average For: 1-24;
Average Against: 0-22

KILKENNY SCORERS
TJ Reid……………. 0-38 (0-30 frees, 0-3 ’65)
JJ Farrell ……………2-9
Richie Hogan………. 0-13
Walter Walsh………. 1-6
Colin Fennelly……… 2-2
Conor Fogarty ………0-6
Michael Fennelly…… 0-5
Cillian Buckley…….. 0-2
Liam Blanchfield…..0-3
Padraig Walsh…….. 0-3
Eoin Larkin ……….0-2
Lester Ryan……….. 0-1
John Power……….. 0-1

PATHS TO THE FINAL: TIPPERARY
Tipperary 0-22 Cork 0-13 (Munster quarter-final)
Tipperary 3-12 Limerick 1-16 (Munster semi-final)
Tipperary 5-19 Waterford 0-13 (Munster final)
Tipperary 2-19 Galway 2-18 (All-Ireland semi-final)
Average For: 2-19
Average Against: 1-15

TIPPERARY’S SCORERS
Seamus Callanan………..2-34 (0-25 frees)
John McGrath…………….4-5 (1-0 pen)
Michael Breen…………..3-5
John O’Dwyer……………..1-7 (2f 1`65)
Noel McGrath…………….0-9
Padraic Maher……………0-4
Jason Forde………………0-2
Brendan Maher………….0-2
Kieran Bergin……………0-1
Patrick Maher…………..0-1
Aidan McCormack….0-1
Ronan Maher………….0-1

LAST FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP CLASHES
Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 2-14 (2014 All-Ireland final replay)
Kilkenny 3-22 Tipperary 1-28 (2014 All-Ireland final)
Kilkenny 0-20 Tipperary 1-14 (2013 All-Ireland qualifiers)
Kilkenny 4-24 Tipperary 1-15 (2012 All-Ireland semi-final)
Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 1-16 (2011 All-Ireland final)

PREVIOUS KILKENNY-TIPPERARY ALL-IRELAND FINALS
2014: Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 2-14 (Replay)
2014: Kilkenny 3-22 Tipperary 1-28 (draw)
2011: Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 1-16
2010: Tipperary 4-17 Kilkenny 1-18
2009: Kilkenny 2-22 Tipperary 0-23
1991: Tipperary 1-16 Kilkenny 0-15
1971: Tipperary 5-17 Kilkenny 5-14
1967: Kilkenny 3-8 Tipperary 2-7
1964: Tipperary 5-13 Kilkenny 2-8
1950: Tipperary 1-9 Kilkenny 1-8
1945: Tipperary 5-6 Kilkenny 3-6
1937: Tipperary 3-11 Kilkenny 0-3
1922: Kilkenny 4-2 Tipperary 2-6
1916: Tipperary 5-4 Kilkenny 3-2
1913: Kilkenny 2-4 Tipperary 1-2
1911: Kilkenny 3-3 Tipperary 2-1
1909: Kilkenny 4-6 Tipperary 0-12
1898: Tipperary 7-13 Kilkenny 3-10
1895: Tipperary 6-8 Kilkenny 1-0

LAST TEN ALL-IRELAND FINALS: KILKENNY
2015: Kilkenny 1-22 Galway 1-18
2014: Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 2-14 (Replay)
2014: Kilkenny 3-22 Tipperary 1-28 (Draw)
2012: Kilkenny 3-22 Galway 3-11 (Replay)
2012: Kilkenny 0-19 Galway 2-13 (Draw)
2011: Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 1-16
2010: Tipperary 4-17 Kilkenny 1-18
2009: Kilkenny 2-22 Tipperary 0-23
2008: Kilkenny 3-20 Waterford 1-13
2007: Kilkenny 2-19 Limerick 1-15
Wins 7; Defeats 1, Draws 2

LAST TEN ALL-IRELAND FINALS: TIPPERARY
2014: Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 2-14 (Replay)
2014: Tipperary 1-28 Kilkenny 3-22 (Draw)
2011: Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 1-16
2010: Tipperary 4-17 Kilkenny 1-18
2009: Kilkenny 2-22 Tipperary 0-23
2001: Tipperary 2-18 Galway 2-15
1997: Clare 0-20 Tipperary 2-13
1991: Tipperary 1-16 Kilkenny 0-15
1989: Tipperary 4-24 Antrim 3-9
1988: Galway 1-15 Tipperary 0-14
Wins 4; Defeats 5, Draws 1

LAST CHAMPIONSHIP CLASH
KILKENNY 2-17 TIPPERARY 2-14 (2014 ALL-IRELAND FINAL REPLAY)
KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy; Kieran Joyce, JJ Delaney, Jackie Tyrrell; Paul Murphy, Padraig Walsh, Cillian Buckley; Michael Fennelly, Conor Fogarty; Colin Fennelly, Richie Hogan, Eoin Larkin; Richie Power, TJ Reid, John Power.
Subs: Henry Shefflin for Hogan; Lester Ryan for Michael Fennelly.

TIPPERARY: Darren Gleeson; Cathal Barrett, James Barry, Paddy Stapleton; Brendan Maher, Padraic Maher, Kieran Bergin; Shane McGrath, James Woodlock; Gearoid Ryan, Noel McGrath, Lar Corbett; John O’Dwyer, Seamus Callanan, Patrick Maher.
Subs: Michael Cahill for Shane McGrath; Conor O’Mahony for Ryan; Shane Bourke for Corbett; Jason Forde for Noel McGrath; John O’Brien for O’Dwyer.

LAST COMPETITIVE CLASH
TIPPERARY 2-17 KILKENNY 0-18 (2016 ALLIANZ HL, NOWLAN PARK, 21 FEBRUARY)
KILKENNY: E Murphy; P Murphy, J Holden, S Prendergast; P Walsh (0-1), R Lennon, D Cody; L Ryan, C Fogarty; C Fennelly, TJ Reid (0-10, 0-6f, 0-1 65), J Maher (0-4); W Walsh (0-1), K Kelly (2-1), J Power.
Subs: J Farrell for Power, K Joyce for Holden.

TIPPERARY: D Gleeson; C Barrett, T Hamill, M Cahill; B Maher, J Barry, Padraic Maher; M Breen (0-1), D Quinn; D McCormack, Patrick Maher, J O’Dwyer (0-9, 0-4f, 0-2 ’’65’); N McGrath (0-2), C Kenny (0-2), J McGrath (0-4, 0-1f).
Subs: N O’Meara for Kenny, R Maher for Quinn, J Meagher for Padraic Maher, A Coffey for McCormack.

ALL-IRELAND SH ROLL OF HONOUR
Will Kilkenny extend their lead at the top of the title table or will Tipperary narrow the gap? Kilkenny are currently six clear of Cork and ten ahead of Tipperary

36: KILKENNY (1904-1905-1907-1909-1911-1912-1913-1922-1932-1933-1935-1939-1947-1957-1963-1967-1969-1972-1974-1975-1979-1982-1983-1992-1993-2000-2002-2003-2006-2007-2008-2009-2011-2012-2014-2015).
30: Cork (1890-1892-1893-1894-1902-1903-1919-1926-1928-1929-1931-1941-1942-1943-1944-1946-1952-1953-1954-1966-1970-1976-1977-1978-1984-1986-1990-1999-2004-2005).
26: TIPPERARY (1887-1895-1896-1898-1899-1900-1906-1908-1916-1925-1930-1937-1945-1949-1950-1951-1958-1961-962-1964-1965-1971-1989-1991-2001-2010)
7: Limerick (1897-1918-21-34-36-40-73).
6: Dublin (1889-1917-1920-1924-1927-1938).
6: Wexford (1910-1955-1956-1960-1968-1996)
4: Galway (1923-1980-1987-1988)
4: Offaly (1981-1985-1994-1998)
3: Clare (1914-1995-1997-2013)
2: Waterford (1948-1959)
1: Kerry (1891)
1: Laois (1915)
1: London (1901)

ALL-IRELAND FINAL SHORTS
Kilkenny have reached 65 All-Ireland finals, winning 36, losing 25 and drawing 4.

Tipperary have appeared in 40 All-Ireland senior finals, winning 26, losing 12 and drawing two.

Next Sunday’s game will be Brian Cody 84th championship outing as manager since taking over in Kilkenny at the start of 1999 season. Kilkenny have won 68, drawn six and lost nine of the previous 83 under
Cody. The defeats were against Galway (2001-2005-2012), Cork (1999-2004-2013), Wexford (2004), Tipperary (2010) and Dublin (2013).

Tipperary are bidding to become the first Munster champions to win the All-Ireland title since Cork in 2005. Tipperary (2010) and Clare (2013) both won the title, having come through the qualifiers.

Kilkenny are bidding to win the All-Ireland treble for the third time, having previously achieved it in 1911-12-13 and 2006-07-08.

Tipperary’s Allianz League and Championship record this year reads: Played 10, Won 6, Drew 1, Lost 3. The defeats were against Waterford, Kilkenny and Clare in the League.

Kilkenny’s Allianz League and championship record for the year reads: Played 11, Won 8, Drew 1, Lost 2. The defeats were against Waterford and Clare in the League.

Kilkenny (36) and Tipperary (26) have won 62 All-Ireland titles between them.

HOW KILKENNY WON THEIR 36 ALL-IRELAND TITLES
1904 – Kilkenny 1-9 Cork 1-8
1905 – Kilkenny 7-7 Cork 2-9
1907 – Kilkenny 3-12 Cork 4-8
1909 – Kilkenny 4-6 Tipperary 0-12
1911 – Kilkenny 3-3 Tipperary 2-1
1912 – Kilkenny 2-1 Cork 1-3
1913 – Kilkenny 2-4 Tipperary 1-2
1922 – Kilkenny 4-2 Tipperary 2-6
1932 – Kilkenny 3-3 Clare 2-3
1933 – Kilkenny 1-7 Limerick 0-6
1935 – Kilkenny 2-5 Limerick 2-4
1939 – Kilkenny 2-7 Cork 3-3
1947 – Kilkenny 0-14 Cork 2-7
1957 – Kilkenny 4-10 Waterford 3-12
1963 – Kilkenny 4-17 Waterford 6-8
1967 – Kilkenny 3-8 Tipperary 2-7
1969 – Kilkenny 2-15 Cork 2-9
1972 – Kilkenny 3-24 Cork 5-11
1974 – Kilkenny 3-19 Limerick 1-13
1975 – Kilkenny 2-22 Galway 2-10
1979 – Kilkenny 2-12 Galway 1-8
1982 – Kilkenny 3-18 Cork 1-13
1983 – Kilkenny 2-14 Cork 2-12
1992 – Kilkenny 3-10 Cork 1-12
1993 – Kilkenny 2-17 Galway 1-15
2000 – Kilkenny 5-15 Offaly 1-14
2002 – Kilkenny 2-20 Clare 0-19
2003 – Kilkenny 1-14 Cork 1-11
2006 – Kilkenny 1-16 Cork 1-13
2007 – Kilkenny 2-19 Limerick 1-15
2008 – Kilkenny 3-30 Waterford 1-13
2009 – Kilkenny 2-22 Tipperary 0-23
2011 – Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 1-16
2012 – Kilkenny 3-22 Galway 3-11 (replay)
2014 – Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 2-14 (replay)
2015 – Kilkenny 1-22 Galway 1-18

HOW TIPPERARY WON THEIR 26 ALL-IRELAND TITLES
1887 – Tipperary 1-1 Galway 0-0
1895 – Tipperary 6-8 Kilkenny 1-0
1896 – Tipperary 8-14 Dublin 0-4
1898 – Tipperary 7-13 Kilkenny 3-10
1899 – Tipperary 3-12 Wexford 1-4
1900 – Tipperary 2-5 London 0-6
1906 – Tipperary 3-16 Dublin 3-8
1908 – Tipperary 3-15 Dublin 1-5 (replay)
1908 – Tipperary 2-5 Dublin 1-8 (draw)
1916 – Tipperary 5-4 Kilkenny 3-2
1925 – Tipperary 5-6 Galway 1-5
1930 – Tipperary 2-7 Dublin 1-3
1937 – Tipperary 3-11 Kilkenny 0-3
1945 – Tipperary 5-6 Kilkenny 3-6
1949 – Tipperary 3-11 Laois 0-3
1950 – Tipperary 1-9 Kilkenny 1-8
1951 – Tipperary 7-7 Wexford 3-9
1958 – Tipperary 4-9 Galway 2-5
1961 – Tipperary 0-16 Dublin 1-12
1962 – Tipperary 3-10 Wexford 2-11
1964 – Tipperary 5-13 Kilkenny 2-8
1965 – Tipperary 2-16 Wexford 0-10
1971 – Tipperary 5-17 Kilkenny 5-14
1989 – Tipperary 4-24 Antrim 3-9
1991 – Tipperary 1-16 Kilkenny 0-15
2001 – Tipperary 2-18 Galway 2-15
2010 – Tipperary 4-17 Kilkenny 1-18