As it happened: Extraordinary second half propels Tipperary to All-Ireland final victory over Cork
Tipperary's Ronan Maher lifts the Liam MacCarthy Cup. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Liam Sheedy says that when Cork reflect on the Tipperary goals, they will be very disappointed with the defending.
Donal Óg Cusack: "I'd say now Pat Ryan will need some time to think. Cork will come back. They will find a way back." He adds that the landslide victory over Dublin in the semi-final skewed the view of Cork.
Cork manager Pat Ryan: "In the second half, Tipperary blew us away with the momentum they got. The energy and effort in the second half wasn't what we would have liked."
Cork manager Pat Ryan admitted Tipperary blew his side away in the second half of the All-Ireland Hurling Championship final. #sundaygame pic.twitter.com/yGrvuT3mFW
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 20, 2025
Liam Sheedy: "I'm coming in here a long time and I've never seen a performance like that. To me, that was a tactical masterclass from Liam Cahill."
Anthony Daly: 'The subtle change we noticed at half-time was that Craig Morgan went loose and Bryan O'Mara went marking.'
Donal Óg Cusack: "It's a heartbreaking defeat. Cork will just have to take it, wear it and walk back into the fire. It's definitely going to take time to get over."
Darragh McCarthy on providing the assist to Noel McGrath for the final score of the game: "No better man to pass to. He thanked me there after." McCarthy said that McGrath is his hurling hero.
Darragh McCarthy joins the #sundaygame panel after Tipperary lit up Croke Park by dismantling Cork in the second half to become All-Ireland champions pic.twitter.com/4TdI91CZgb
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 20, 2025
Darragh McCarthy also says that Cathal Sheridan, the former Munster player and now a sports psychologist, was a big part of Tipperary winning this All-Ireland title. He adds that it was said going into the game that they would not panic if they were five or six points down at half-time. The message in the dressing room at the break was to stick to the process.
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Tipperary manager Liam Cahill: 'My mother probably has the rosary beads swallowed at this stage and my father probably has the cows milked three times with the nervousness.' Says some of the criticism after last year was "rightly deserved".
He commends Cathal Sheridan, "a top class man" who "got these players ready to perform" and produce that second half.
"My mother has probably swallowed her rosary beads and my father has probably the cows milked three times with nervousness. I'm so thrilled for everybody."
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 20, 2025
Tipperary manager Liam Cahill said he never doubted his players, going from a low ebb to glory. #sundaygame pic.twitter.com/Bvsj43cH9o
Liam Sheedy on Ronan Maher: 'He was outstanding all through. It's the way he trains and approaches the game. What a wonderful speech.' He commends Ronan for remember Dillon Quirke.
Ronan Maher in his captain's speech: 'To one player who is no longer with us but is a part of what we are, Dillon Quirke, we carried your spirit with us every step of the way. We hope we did you proud today.'
Tipperary captain Ronan Maher lifts the Liam MacCarthy Cup.
"It's hard to put it into words. It's a long way we've come in 12 months. We were long gone 12 months ago. The talent was always there, it was just about fine-tuning it. That second half, oh my God."
The second half score Cork 0-2 Tipperary 3-14
An extraordinary second half display by Tipperary. After all the debate about Killeagh or the Banks, it is Slievenamon echoing around Croke Park
Tipperary are All-Ireland champions! It's their 29th title and a first since 2019.
Darragh McCarthy scores another free to put Tipp ahead by 14. Then, to a massive roar, Noel McGrath gets the final point of the game.
Shelly saves Conor Lehane's penalty.
There will be four minutes of added time. Penalty for Cork. Brian Hayes gets away from Ronan Maher, makes a good catch and is brought down.
Tipp goalkeeper Rhys Shelly adds a point. Tipp lead by 13.
"This is one of the great All-Ireland final second half performances," says Michael Duignan on commentary for RTÉ.
Harnedy gets just Cork's second point of the second half.
Nothing going right for Cork. Harnedy's shot hits the crossbar and then Alan Connolly's handpass is misplaced with a goal on.
Wrists of gold!
That is a glorious goal. Nicky English '89 esque
Another goal for Tipp! Another for John McGrath as he beats Patrick Collins to a long ball towards to Cork goal and tops it to the net.
Darragh McCarthy adds another free to his total. Then there's another boost for Tipp, and a massive roar as Noel McGrath comes on.
McCarthy is turning into the redemption song
Patrick Horgan goes off and is replaced by Conor Lehane.
Diarmuid Healy goes off for Cork and Damien Cahalane is on. For Tipp, Craig Morgan goes off and Alan Tynan is on.
Darragh McCarthy scores the penalty. Super from the teenager. Wow. From six down 20 minutes ago to six up now. McCarthy then adds a point. Cork have scored just a point since half-time.
A bit of a Darby push by McGrath on Downey before that. Eoin Downey sent off. Will we see the McGrath push before it came in?
Penalty for Tipp! John McGrath wins it after being fouled by Eoin Downey. And it's a second yellow for Downey. He's off.
Darragh McCarthy converts a free to put Tipp up by three.
Five selectors surrounds Pat Ryan as they make adjustments. It's all be Tipp in this half.
A change for Tipp. Bryan O'Mara goes off and is replaced by the vastly experienced Séamus Kennedy.
Willie Connors wins a turnover and John McGrath fires over a point for Tipp. They lead by two.
Yellow cards for Robert Doyle and Alan Connolly. Just before that, Shane Barrett got a badly needed point for Cork. Another poor shot for Cork, this time by Séamus Harnedy.
Mad shooting has now hit Cork. They missed a free, dropped one short, hit the post twice and the one shot that Tipperary miss ends in a John McGrath goal.
Collins brings down Jake Morris's shot and McGrath is there to finish it.
Goal for Tipp! John McGrath. So many errors from Cork led to that goal.
Ronan Maher scuffs a sideline cut. It falls to Fitzgibbon but his shot hits the post.
Here comes Séamus Harnedy for Cork. He's on for Dec Dalton.
Power play from Tipperary. Five-in-a-row. The Davin End is the scoring end. Both Downeys now booked.
Jake Morris claims a puckout from Collin, runs at Robert Downey and is fouled. Downey gets a yellow card from Liam Gordon. Darragh McCarthy sticks the free over. Five in a row from Tipp. They are just one down now.
Tipp, six down at the break, have scored four without reply from Cork. Darragh McCarthy with the latest.
Diarmuid Healy drops a shot short. Tipp quickly attack and Andrew Ormond gets his second of the second half. It's just Shane Barrett's goal between then now.
Another point for Tipp. Liam Gordon plays the advantage and Andrew Ormond sticks it over the bar. Four between them now. That's the start to the second half which Tipp, and the game, needed.
Patrick Horgan opens the first half with a free. It goes to Hawk-Eye and it's wide. A the other end, good start for Tipp with a point by Conor Stakelum. Five between the teams.
Yellow for Dalton. Fudge!
Officials waiting for Cork here. May be something happening. Declan Dalton yellowed for pushing the official. Linesman Thomas Walsh also warning Dalton after the yellow.
RTÉ saying that Willie Connors has also received a yellow card in the same incident.
Liam Sheedy on RTÉ: "Tipp have had nine wides. They need to be smarter of the ball."
P. Horgan (0-4, 3 frees); S. Barrett (1-3); D. Healy (0-3); D. Fitzgibbon (0-2); N O’Leary, D. Dalton (free), A. Connolly, B. Hayes (0-1 each).
D. McCarthy (0-6, 4 frees); J. Morris (0-2); E. Connolly, J. McGrath, W. Connors J. Forde, R. Doyle, (0-1 each).
That half came down to finishing. Tipperary had 25 shots to Cork's 22. The underdogs have a 45% conversion from play.
The big question now is do they stick or twist? They are playing a sweeper but six points down and need to chase the game.
The players scuffle and a bottle is thrown at a Cork player going into the dressing-room
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 20, 2025
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Stay in the game, most of the pundits had advised Tipp. And stop Cork goals. They had done that, despite some wasteful shooting, until the last act of the half.
This game was crying out for a spark like that. A thunderous roar of 'Rebels' rings out, linesman Thomas Walsh comes onto the field to try and stop a row in front of him and there is a bit of handbags as both sides make for the tunnel
UNSTOPPABLE!! 🚫
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 20, 2025
Shane Barrett rattles the net for the games opening goal! 🙌👏@OfficialCorkGAA #CORvTIP pic.twitter.com/OIK4Wf8PnQ
Cork's first goal chance and they take it. Barrett now with 1-3 to his name.
A world away from the final he played last year. Declan Dalton seems to have pushed away officials trying to get to the tunnel. Altercation then in the tunnel afterwards.
The referee talks to the upmire following an off the ball incident but the two teams head for the dressing rooms. Looks like a bit of a scuffle in the tunnel then as well.
38mins Shane Barrett with a great goal for Cork. He races clear of his man and drills the ball into the far bottom right corner.
Darragh McCarthy hits from long-range and it sails over the bar.
Connors has switched to shadow Barrett. Square ball goal ruled out. Tipp can't have many complaints.
Jason Forde with a great finish but he was in the square as it was struck.
Darragh McCarthy sends over another free after Rob Downey is shown a yellow card.
Brian Hayes produces the score of the game so far, according to Michael Duignan
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 20, 2025
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Eight wides for Tipperary to Cork's three and the margin is just the score difference.
Just three points from play from Cork's inside line so far but they have more ways of killing a team. Two coming in the last few minutes.
The game is opening up and it seems to be suiting Cork. Shane Barrett scores his third of the game.
Tipp hit yet another wide.
Brian Hayes with an excellent score for Cork, great take. Score of the game so far say the commentators.
Sam O'Farrell scores for Tipp but Alan Connolly hits back for Cork. But Tipp race up the other end to move within three.
The Cork crowd appear unhappy with the length of time Darragh McCarthy is taking over frees
Darragh McCarthy responds with a converted free of his own. Tipp trail by four.
Declan Dalton lands over a monster free.
Jason Forde and John McGrath link up brilliantly for a Tipp point
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 20, 2025
Very little in it so far
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Patrick Horgan adds another free to his tally.
Great strike from Jason Forde. Tipp needed that.
But Cork hit back through Darragh Fitzgibbon, they lead by three.
Quick puck out and Tipp reduce the deficit.
Patrick Horgan with a superb score on the turn from distance. Sheer utter class says Marty Morrissey.
Eoin Connolly goes for goal and sends it just wide of the far post. Great strike, just wide.
Tipperary have set their stall out here. The plan is to keep it tight and stay in the game. A lot more cagey than had been anticipated. Meanwhile, Liam Gordon has stopped the first fast puckout of the day.
Patrick Horgan splits the posts with a free.
John McGrath sends it over from a difficult angle. Just one between the sides now.
Darragh Fitzgibbon wins it back, races forward and sends it over with the help of the far right post.
Darragh McCarthy with a free and he sends it over.
This is real shoot-on-sight stuff and some of it is far too hectic.
Tipperary are running brutally hard on Cork's puck-outs to stop O'Mahony and Fitzgibbon. Keeping that up will be difficult.
Magical touch by Horgan sets up the chance for Healy and he fires over.
Niall O'Leary fire over, great work in the build-up by Diarmuid Healy. Tipp race up the other end but they hit another wide. Six now already.
Hawkeye to see if Darragh McCarthy has scored. Tá. He has. And we're level again.
Five wides for Tipp after just 11 mins. And then Dalton sends an effort wide at the other end.
Free in for Tipp, should be a score. And they do. Darragh McCarthy splits the posts.
Willie Connors at left-half back. Bryan O'Mara playing between him and Craig Morgan. Tipp minding the runners.
Shane Barrett scores from a really tight angle. Great score. Cork defence on top so far.
Shane Barrett fires over for Cork, they lead for the third time and Tipp soon hit their fourth wide of the game.
What a noise in Croke Park.
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 20, 2025
Diarmuid Healy gets Cork up and running within seconds
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Wides at both ends now.
Tipperary are gone with two inside and seven in their own half early on here. They clearly want to avoid the first half goals that have crippled their challenge in the past.
O'Mara has been freed up at the other end. Cork still went long with their first two puckouts and lost them both
Connolly sends it over the bar from distance and we are level again.
Seán O'Donoghue on Jason Forde, Eoin Downey on John McGrath, Niall O'Leary on Darragh McCarthy
Tipp hit their second wide of the game. They'll be disappointed with that as well. Nervous on both side, perhaps.
Hawkeye to see if Darragh Fitzgibbon has scored a point. NÍL. He hasn't. Bad wide from in space.
Sam O'Farrell hits the first wide of the game.
Patrick Horgan fires over a free.
Robert Doyle on Alan Connolly, Ronan Maher on Brian Hayes, Michael Breen on Patrick Horgan.
Jake Morris levels for Tipp.
Bryan O'Mara seems to be the free man in the Tipp defence. Ronan Maher tagging Brian Hayes
Tipp seem to be deloying a sweeper.
Diarmuid Healy scores for Cork, great score from a tight angle.
TIPP TIPP TIPP lifting the roof off the Hogan as the teams come round
Now it's time for the national anthem.
Declan Dalton picks up a ball in front of the Hogan Stand just to have in his hand going around in the parade.
Now it's time for the parade, looks like a huge Cork crowd in attendance although red is probably the more dominant colour.
It's all of a sudden become dark in Croke Park. A cloudburst on the way, it seems
Michael D Higgins leaves the pitch after meeting all the players.
"The hype train is going to turn into a pressure cooker"
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 20, 2025
Liam Sheedy feels Tipperary will rise to the occasion, but will Cork?
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Interesting results below, so far.
Right so, who do you think wins it?
— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) July 20, 2025
But first, here is President Michael D Higgins.
The two teams are getting ready for the parade. Will either of them break away like Donegal or Meath last weekend?
Some interesting observations as usual from GAA president Jarlath Burns in his match programme notes.
Today he has touched on the idea of abolishing the All-Ireland hurling preliminary quarter-finals.
"There is a necessary and timely conversation to be had about the structure of our senior hurling championship, specifically regarding the Joe McDonagh Cup finalists entering the All-Ireland series through a preliminary quarter-final.
“While the current system offers a pathway, it may also place an unfair burden on teams whose seasons have already been long and challenging.
"If we were to remove the preliminary quarter-final, we would open the door for a longer and more meaningful Joe McDonagh Cup competition – a competition that deserves to stand proudly on its own, with adequate time, coverage, and respect.
"These are discussions that must be held with fairness, vision, and the future in mind.”
And here comes the Cork team! pic.twitter.com/R1RuQwGl0b
— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) July 20, 2025
As a reminder, here is how proceedings will unfold this afternoon. Both teams are about to emerge for their warm-up with throw-in schedule for 3.30 pm.
The match is expected to finish at 5.04 pm. However, if extra-time is required, the toss and updated team-sheets are handed over to the referee at 5,14 pm.
The first half of extra-time begins at 5.15 pm with it all to be finished by 5.43 pm. Whisper it, but if still level, there is a replay on August 2.
No changes to either team. Paddy McCormack rumour was just that.
Good news for Cork fans. As you can see below, nice to have the extra support!
Even God is on Cork's side today!
— Kieran McCarthy (@KieranMcC_SS) July 20, 2025
The Banks was sung at mass this morning!
🎥 Der O'Mahony pic.twitter.com/wutpSZoHiU
Boos from Hill 16 as DJ Carey’s name and achievements are read out.
The Kilkenny jubilee winning team of 2000 are currently out on the pitch.
Welcome everyone (again) to our liveblog now that we are properly up and running.
My name is Andrew Horgan and I will be talking you all through the build-up and the first half of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final between Cork and Tipperary, before my colleague PJ Browne sees us home for the second half and post-match reaction.
We have a strong team of five in the Croke Park press box this afternoon, which includes John Fogarty, Larry Ryan, Maurice Brosnan. Therese O'Callaghan and Eoghan Cormican to bring you the best of the analysis and reaction.
Red looks the dominant colour in the stadium at the moment. But a lot of the Cork crowd did set off early after the horrors of the semi-final trip.
No conjecture around the Cork team, who are expected to line out as announced. But the Tipp rumours are persisting.
Well-known GAA commentator Mac Dara Mac Donncha will introduce the Kilkenny jubilee team of 2000 at 2.35pm.
The name of DJ Carey, who scored 1-4 in that year’s final win over Offaly and was named man of the match and later crowned hurler of the year, will be read out but he will not be in attendance.
Not linked to that situation but we’re told goalkeeper James McGarry as well as manager Brian Cody won’t be involved in the celebration either.
Rumours swirling about changes on the Tipp starting team. Nothing confirmed yet.
Ahead of the All-Ireland hurling final, @m_brosnan and @JohnFogartyIrl discuss if either manager will throw a curveball today pic.twitter.com/PFAsPgAija
— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) July 20, 2025
Therese O'Callaghan is amongst our strong team of five in the Croke Park press box this afternoon, which includes John Fogarty, Larry Ryan, Maurice Brosnan and Eoghan Cormican.
She has sent on the following details which are included in today's matchday programme.
Liam Gordon’s first All-Ireland senior championship final.
The Galway native debuted on the inter-county panel in 2018 and the following season refereed the U20 final between Cork and Tipperary.
In November 2020 he made his SHC debut at Páirc Uí Chaoimh for Limerick v Tipperary and the following month blew the whistle for the Joe McDonagh Cup final.
Further prominent assignments included the 2022 Allianz League final, the 2023 Munster SHC final and this year’s All-Ireland club SHC final.
His most recent Croke Park outing was for the Dublin-Limerick quarter-final last month.
His umpires are Damien Gibbons, Alan McClearn, John Larkin, and Ollie Reilly (all from the Killimor club), while his linesmen will be Seán Stack (Dublin) and Thomas Walsh (Waterford).
One of the GAA’s core responsibilities is to ensure the gift of hurling is not restricted to the lucky few but extended to every corner of Ireland.
It is the ambition of our Hurling Development Committee to create the conditions whereby every child in Ireland can play hurling for their local club.
This is not an idle dream. It is an achievable goal, grounded in the belief that the culture of hurling can flourish anywhere - in Kerry or Derry, in Tyrone or Wicklow, if only the seeds are sown and nurtured.
We must also address a lingering hesitation in some clubs. There remains a fear in football-strong counties that promoting hurling can dilute their competitive edge in football. Let me state clearly and confidently this fear is unfounded.
Our experience has shown us that children who play both codes are better athletes, more rounded players and more resilient competitors. Promoting hurling is not a threat to football - it is a complement.
Where hurling takes root, it enriches the culture of a club and gives young people a broader palette of expression. We must move beyond fear to embrace opportunity. Let us be brave in how we grow our games.
As we look forward, we must also be reflective. There is a necessary and timely conversation to be had about the structure of our senior hurling championship, specifically regarding the Joe McDonagh Cup finalists entering the All-Ireland series through a preliminary quarter-final.
While the current system offers a pathway, it may also place an unfair burden on teams whose seasons have already been long and challenging.
If we were to remove the preliminary quarter-final, we would open the door for a longer and more meaningful Joe McDonagh Cup competition - a competition that deserves to stand proudly on its own, with adequate time, coverage and respect. These are discussions that must be held with fairness, vision, and the future in mind.
Welcome everyone to our liveblog on what is always one of the biggest days on the Irish sporting calendar.
My name is Andrew Horgan and I will be talking you all through the build-up and the first half of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final between Cork and Tipperary, before my colleague PJ Browne sees us home for the second half and post-match reaction.
Our coverage will truly begin at 2.45pm but until then, feel free to read the best of the analysis as the old rivals meet in the final for the first time ever.
Anthony Daly writes 'If this isn’t Cork’s time, when is it?' — Pressure rises as Tipp lie in wait.
Enda McEvoy believes that it’s set up for Cork to get chinned, but they won’t.
And Christy O'Connor ask how powerful is vengeance in an All-Ireland final?
A collection of the latest sports news, reports and analysis from Cork.
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