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Jack Anderson: Circle never closes on the hurling rivalry that is Tipp and Cork

As a Limerick man, this pairing is like Russia v China at the Olympics; I'm not sure I want either to win.

Fri, 18 Jul, 2025 - 07:00

Jack Anderson is a professor of sports law and global expert in governance, and regulation. He advises sporting bodies and contributes widely to public debate – as well as being a Limerick hurling supporter.

TIPP v CORK: it’s the hurling equivalent of Man Utd v Liverpool; Red Sox-Yankees; Celtics and Lakers. The only limit on the counties’ championship rivalry since its inception in 1888 is that it has almost always played out in Munster.

Being from Limerick, Tipp v Cork is a bit like Russia v China in an Olympic event; not sure you want either of them to win. And that’s why the first meeting of the counties in 1888 is interesting. Cork lost to Tipp in the first round of the first ever Munster championship. Clonoulty represented Tipperary as club champions but having taken a liberal view of the parish rule (drawing players from west Tipp and beyond), a replay was ordered for Buttevant. Clonoutly wouldn’t travel beyond Kilmallock, so the Cork champions (Tower Street) went forward, beating Carrickbeg of Waterford and then onto the Munster final where they were set to play the Clare champions (Ogonelloe).

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