As the Tipperary All Ireland-winning panel and management of 2001 are honoured this coming Sunday as the Jubilee Team during this year’s All Ireland Senior Hurling Final festivities, what better way to mark the occasion than by revisiting a wonderful article penned by the legendary John O’Grady (RIP), better known as Cúlbaire. Originally published in the Tipperary GAA Yearbook, it beautifully captures a memorable year for Gaelic games in the Premier County and the story behind Tipperary’s unforgettable 2001 triumph.
The view from the summit is lovely enough to make us forget the crevasses that menaced the arduous climb. Yet it is those hazards, those escapes, that are the measure of Tipperary’s 25th All-Ireland. Few were harder won or better appreciated.
It took a decade on the calendar, nine successive defeats on the field, before another group had the gold posted for an official photograph against the symbolic backdrop of the Rock of Cashel for immortality in hurling and county history. Eight years since the Munster title had been won, four since the colours had been seen in September, Croke Park in the backdoor’s initial year of 1997. Exits had varied from first round to the day of National Final. No county, barring clear supremacy over an extended period, can reasonably expect more than its share of the spoils, but ours had surely been less than a fair return.
Since the double success of Keating’s battalions in 1989 and 1991, Fr. Tom Fogarty and Len Gaynor had endured disappointments. Nicky English had made, in 1999 and 2000, the partial break-through of checking Clare’s sequence against Tipperary. Going into 2001, his record – we nowadays tend to blend the identities of manager and team – read draw – loss – win vis-à-vis the Banner brigade. And the fates threw up once again a tilt against them to start with. A new commander-in-chief, though was now at their helm. The colourful, abrasive but undeniably effective Ger Loughnane had yielded to the quieter Cyril Lyons. Zest for victory, over Tipperary above all, was liable to be no less. The rivalry had become sharp-edged under Ger’s regime, had been used as an incentive, sometimes to an unpleasant degree. These things reach a height or a depth – and then begin a gradual process of moderation. Curiously and significantly – not one of all our clashes had brought onto the pitch anything remarkable in the way of trouble. The disarming straightforwardness of English, a man quite unfairly projected as having shown disrespect for Clare back in 1993, was to be mirrored in Lyons’ low-keyed approach. Tactical generals on the line though, were not to mean a mock-battle on the pitch at Cork on June 3rd.
WIN – OR DEPART
There couldn’t have been more at stake. Added to that rivalry was the matter of life or death for 2001. “Dead” already, so to speak, was the host county Cork, outfought a week earlier by Cregan’s Limerick, leaving the Provincial crown to find a new monarch. Further piling on the emphasis was the knowledge that this would be the last of the one-outing, first fence casualties – next year would bring in a more forgiving format in hurling, copying the other code’s example.
The Tipperary and Clare sides contained in the 2001 League Final programme.
We had won the League, and against Clare too. It guaranteed nothing but was a healthier omen that losing to them. The League final team had featured Leahy at wing-back – he was deemed not ready to start in Cork. We still lacked David Kennedy. Corcoran again played centre. Carroll had missed the League final. Now he was right half-back. Cahill lost out as O’Meara returned.
Lineout: Cummins; Costello, Maher, Ormonde; Carroll, Corcoran, P. Kelly; Dunne, Gleeson; O’Leary, Enright, O’Meara; E. Kelly, Ryan, Corbett.
Tension abounded. The ball was still in Dickie Murphy’s hand when O’Leary found himself getting attention from wing-back Quinn. Roars from the crowd, belated interest from a linesman who was to surface again in Croke Park; yellow cards from the referee for the two players. Not much equity in the equal outcome. A fast Tipp start had us up, three to one in eight minutes but McMahon and Hoey took a grip which stifled our attacks and was rewarded with a Clare lead after twenty. It took a smart leveller from Corbett to send us in at seven-all. Corcoran’s typically solid work at centre-back had checked O’Connor well and Maher gave Gilligan little scope behind. Still, had Cummins not turned away a searing drive from Lynch, loose on the left, matters would have been in arrears. Eoin Kelly’s frees were a large item to credit.
Tipperary full forward line of Eoin Kelly, Declan Ryan and Lar Corbett stand for the national anthem ahead of Clare game.
LEAHY’S SHORT STAY
John Leahy made the third quarter news, and not in the happiest way. On for O’Leary after seven minutes, he lasted barely two. The reason for his applauded – by Tipp! – entry was that Forde and O’Connor had re-opened with points to put us nine to seven down, Leahy made an immediate push through the centre to draw a roar of anticipation. The roar was soon stilled. He lay prone and in pain after coming down wrong on the same leg that had “given” under him against Galway in the 2000 quarter-final. He was our leader with brilliant long points in the win over Clare that began that campaign. Now we’d have to soldier on without him – it wasn’t to be Mullinahone’s only piece of bad luck.
“Character” is a much-employed word these days. Tipp had it all the way. The loss of Leahy did not ruffle them. Three frees for Eoin Kelly restored the fruits of pressure towards the city end, but O’Connor levelled again, eleven all. Clare’s attack, Gilligan, in particular, failed to carry on from there – he was actually replaced. A very fine hit by Paul Kelly tilted it our way again. Veteran Declan Ryan took into the picture aid for two more. He took a Carroll delivery for another. Clare were anything but done. The atmosphere reached heights of excitement as Tipp battled to hold on. Forde, receiving from Markham, put it at the minimum. There, delightfully, it stayed at 0-15 to 0-14. Dickie Murphy blew the “closure”. He was not by any means a Clare darling, right there and then, or ever since!
Several of his judgements were called in question, whether frees given or not given. We did not concern ourselves with that aspect. We’d got the win that set up a Munster Final and assured at least one day out after that. Getting past Clare had to have its pleasing extra satisfaction. It put English’s tenure in credit after he had gone into it at par, relative to clashes with the Banner. The goal-less game had seen us outpoint them. Next best to Eoin Kelly’s seven points, one from play, were two apiece by Dunne and Enright, one apiece from Corbett, Declan Ryan, O’Meara and Paul Kelly. Subs utilised were Leahy (O’Leary), O’Neill (Leahy), Kennedy (Gleeson).
The return of Kennedy would be a help for the Munster final. For Carroll the future was to hold a switch of position, at this early stage hardly on the drawing-board of English, Hogan and Begin. The stature of Philip Maher at full-back was endorsed with general “Man of the Match” consensus.
MUNSTER FINAL
A week later, in Páirc Uí Chaoimh – the whole series was monopolised by Cork to Thurles’ exclusion – Limerick continued where they’d left off, against the Munster champions by overhauling Waterford’s fast start and reaching the Provincial final. Cregan’s team was showing a fine dividend from the county’s under-21 All-Ireland and displaying tremendous spirit in coming from behind.
English said his side had “dealt badly with last year’s win”, referring mainly to the final defeat by Cork when Tipp, famously, got nothing from several penalties. The mentors chose as follows: Cummins; Costello, Maher, Ormonde; Carroll, Kennedy, Corcoran; Dunne, P. Kelly; O’Leary, Enright, O’Meara; E. Kelly, Ryan, Corbett. As well as Leahy, we had to rule out Cleeson with a hand injury from a club “friendly” against Kilmallock. Noise and colour filled Páirc Uí Chaoimh, rivalry without the “edge” of the previous day.
The start was blistered. In ten minutes the hurling nine points had been flagged. The first green one – appropriately – came from Limerick. Seán O’Connor drove into the blackrock net to overtake us at 1-5 to 0-6. The response was thrilling and prompt. Declan Ryan received from O’Meara and kicked past Houlihan. O’Meara’s return rebounded to Lar Corbett to tap in the second goal. Production slowed – we didn’t score for thirteen minutes and O’Grady’s acute frees equalised affairs at 2-8 to 1-11. The signs were that Limerick were again in battling mood. Kennedy had made a good return for us, marking Ollie Moran ably. Maher was coping with Begley. Enright’s two points off Ciaran Carey were to provoke a beneficial switch of Geary from left-back. The best move, though, by Cregan was to bring in Reale for the tiring McDonagh at right-back – he was to be an inspiration. Another to lift them was Mark Foley – he hit a wonderful point as they responded to a four-up lead for Tipp. O’Leary’s two, one apiece from Paul Kelly and Eugene O’Neill had been the source of this advantage. O’Neill, John O’Brien and Cahill and Morris were reserves on for Enright, Corbett, O’Leary, Carroll, at various stages.
The substitutions indicated deep anxiety, deeper when Carey and O’Connor levelled the game. Of the two sides it appeared to be Limerick with the momentum. Several nice chances went wide for them and Kennedy saved us with a block on Moran right in front of the posts. That “character” quality was again called for, and at helping of luck, as the teams fought it out, level on 64 minutes at 2-14 to 1-17. One could hardly bear to look, but the last episodes were worth looking at. O’Meara hit an absolutely precious point. John O’Brien made it two up, and we’d done it by that slender margin. Browneopping time again in Cork, and back slapping too. Tipp’s first Munster title since 1993, first Munster medals for everybody bar Declan Ryan. Lack of experience was seen as a lime-rick factor. They went down sportingly and so did their large following. Curiously, our winning side had still hardly found an ideal formation. Carroll’s modest hour at wing-back was to prove, ultimately, a focus for revision and a source of great benefit to man and team. Corcoran was “man of the match”.
Paul Kelly makes a clearance despite Ciaran Carey attempts during the Munster Final victory over Limerick.
Six weeks intervened before August 12th and the semi-final. After the long waiting period we played twice in six days. If Limerick beat Wexford we would be facing Galway – not at first choice, in view of frequent difficulties against the Connachtmen, our conquerors a year before. Limerick did not win. Remarkably, Wexford hit three goals from placed balls, two by ‘keeper Fitzhenry, including a last minute stunner. A good-looking Limerick goal was whistled back. Storey was the big story for Dempsey’s side, the veteran a spirit-raising and play influencing sub.
FACING WEXFORD – TWICE
We took their title from them in 1997. Could they halt our advance now, buoyed up by recaptured form, compared to the Leinster final drubbing by Kilkenny? The printed line-out did not match Tipperary’s starting formation – a touch of Ger, about that! Carroll, in a major move, was centre-forward for purposes of strength and drive against Liam Dunne. The Roscrea player had played either full or centre in league games but some felt it was as much a fitness as a tactical play at the time. Modest form at wing-back was further evidence favouring a move upfield. This led to Enright going to midfield with the captain Paul Kelly filling left half-back, Corcoran crossing to the right. There had been various theories about the attacking choice but Corbett held his left-corner place despite being substituted in the Munster final – the mentors, in general, tended to “keep faith” in original decisions, while ready to take a “squad” view in course of play. English emphasised this in interviews, and not just to keep players happy.
Extraordinary was the word for what we saw. From security to near-panic and glad call at halftime. Seven up at half-time, Carroll’s goal off a Cummins free the biggest boost in the 1-9 to 0-5 scoreline – quick profit from the Carroll theory. Eight up at 1-11 to 0-6 after fifty minutes. Enter Martin Storey! Larry Murphy to right wing-forward, Stamp to wing-back, O’Gorman to midfield – there were Wexford changes of great value. Had Fitzhenry not thwarted Corbett, Declan Ryan and Carroll in obvious goal territory, it would have been way beyond Wexford’s reach. O’Gorman gave them the first ray of hope on 41 minutes. O’Leary restored a six points lead. McCarthy got to a rebound off Cummins – goal number two. A Kelly free, an O’Leary point, a great one by Dunne from the Hogan line – we’re back in comfort at five ahead. Wexford’s pace and surge gained impetus as their followers roared. A ball from Ruth, a touch from O’Gorman as it dropped. The unsighted Cummins couldn’t halt it. Liam Dunne was making up for Carroll’s early impact. Fennelly and Jordan carried the marvellous rally all the way to parity at 1-16 to 3-10. We’d never believed to get level, some said a shade early. Cahill for O’Meara, Gleeson for Paul Kelly, O’Neill for Corbett, Paddy O’Brien for Eoin Kelly – multiple use of reserves for causes, either medical or tactical. Resumption on Saturday, to a blank scoreboard with regrouping and mental re-adjustment to do. Wexford drew great praise in which we could join.
John Carroll in possession against Wexford’s Declan Ruth.
GOAL-RUSH UPSET
The biggest topic was the sudden shattering of our hitherto solid inner defence. Three goals from play – was it just bad breaks or a sign of insecurity? On a weather-spoiled Saturday on a pitch of poor condition we got off to initial supremacy before a typical Wexford recovery got going. O’Meara set-up Carroll for a battering goal and Eoin Kelly for a point. Brian was to be the headline-maker for unhappy reasons, right up to the All-Ireland. Retaliating for some sharp actions by Liam Dunne, he and his marker had their set-to by a to the attention of referee Horan the linesman – the same who functioned in the O’Leary episode against Clare. Off with both of them, to general surprise, at the colour of card. Worse on the same came within minutes for Wexford. Jordan was dismissed for a second offence. Paul Kelly was to avail of the extra space very effectively. Only one up at half-time (1-6 to 0-8). Tipperary got the quick encouragement of a goal by O’Neill three minutes into the second half. Codd’s free had been thwarted Galway in the semi-final.
We’d have to face a side that had pulled off a sensation in margin and manner of victory. And a county with three years more of a “famine”.
Eoin Kelly and Eugene O’Neill celebrate at the end of the Semi Final replay.
THE O’MEARA CASE
O’Meara’s was the name on everybody’s lips and in the media. Sympathy was more or less unanimous, even Peter Finnerty making helpful noises. The referee hadn’t seen the incident, relying on the linesman’s valuation. Some felt the ref. had been influenced by a lesser tiff involving O’Leary just previously. But red was the relevant colour, a capital matter compared to the two yellows that Galway defender Kennedy got against Kilkenny. We pleaded equity, cited Brian’s immature record, even got a kind word from Liam Dunne. All to no avail – the appeal failed, causing the mild-mannered Nicky to complain about football people judging a hurling case. A personal tragedy for O’Meara and of possible harm to the team.
The lengthy preliminaries tightened the screw of tension. Saturation coverage – profiles, interviews, reminiscences, endless talk, hopes and fears. Hurling was the biggest thing in the world – two days after the final, other news put everything in perspective. The ticket-hunt was keener than ever. The days dwindled down and Sunday dawned, a good day for the match, which would be a better or a worse day by five o’clock.
A Tipp v Kilkenny final had been the general expectation. Some even conceded the title to the holders on Leinster form. Galway, unlucky a year earlier, were supremely ready for the “Cats”, frustrated their glamorous attack, devastated their slack midfield and dragged their defence all over the place in vain pursuit of Broderick, Cloonan and company. It was a stunning performance, bound to give them favouritism, if only slightly.
Sept. 9th though, began with a bad omen for the West as their champion minors failed against Munster runners-up Cork, unrecognisable from the team beaten by Tipperary. Against banks of colour and a wall of sound, the senior parade. Tipp lined out for the fateful day: Cummins; Costello, Maher, Ormonde; Corcoran, Kennedy, Kelly; Dunne, Enright; O’Leary, Carroll, Corbett; E. Kelly, Ryan, O’Neill.
The choice of O’Neill led to Corbett’s wing-placing. Galway fielded: Crimmins; Kennedy, Healy, Canning; Hardiman, Hodgins, Moore; Tierney, Murray; Rabbitte; M. Kerins, Broderick; A. Kerins, Cloonan, F. Healy. Limerick’s Pat O’Connor, in a year of debated refereeing, took charge. He was not to escape controversy, any more than Murphy had at Thurles.
A STEADY START
A steady start, please. None of that early damage done in August 2000, causing changes in the full-back line even before Corcoran’s collision and departure upset the whole fabric. We got that steady start and better. At three up, the first emphatic Tipperary roar saluted O’Leary’s well-hit, well-placed drive across the ‘keeper to the net – Declan had set him up with a toss out to right of the square. Six up! It wasn’t to stay that smooth. Mark Kerins had a hard shot stopped by Cummins, but the rebound was gobbled up by Cloonan. Galway came strong. We are glad of wides by midfielder Murray and captain Hodgins on powerful runs towards the Railway goal, but they still reduced our lead to two by the interval – 1-9 to 1-7. Smooth work by Dunne, scorer of a superb point from the Hogan touchline, well supported by Enright, had Tipp doing the better at midfield. A centre-back Kennedy matched the solidity of his counterpart, Hodgins.
O’Leary wasn’t done with the green flag business. In perhaps the crucial contribution of the game, Matt made his mark a second time early in the second half. No rasper this one, rather scrambled in as Crimmins failed with an effort to flick away a dribbling ball that came from a ruck outside. Again the goal was no omen of comfort. When Healy drove in a fine goal from close to the end-line we were just one ahead, 2-13 to 2-12. Tipp had re-acted to Cloonan’s goal with the next three points. The same response was made to Healy’s – no better signs of the team’s morale and ability. Declan Ryan was moved to the 1-40. Paul Kelly had to retire, Michael Ryan coming on. Defensive casualties extended later to Costello and Kennedy, replaced by Fahy and Gleeson. Half the defence, but the reserves did well.
Corbett justifying selection and position had two precious points before a ’65’ made it four – a heartening, reassuring piece of skill. The next two episodes centred on Broderick, a pay, inventive attacker of the highest class. One was a save by Cummins, coming out to meet the danger and deflecting outside the post. The other was the game’s most publicised Galway focus of complaint, instantly quoted as close to robbery. Kevin raced in and beat Cummins’ attempt to stop the shot, but the referee had spotted an obstructive tackler which “took out” Kennedy. Whether our goalie, hearing the whistle, made his best effort at a save is also relevant. Galway joy, anyhow, was stilled. One last point, deflected over, was all they could offer.
Tipperary manager Nicky English being lifted by jubilant supporters.
EMOTION ERUPTS!
Nobody on hand of Tipp affiliation will forget the feeling as the time ran out. Philip Maher had the pleasure of a last clearance before the outbreak of a jubilation, the hugging and the odd tear, the presentation to the worthiest of captains.
“Slievenamon” flung the ritual chant of deep, longing, Galway regrets were met personified by the disappointment for Rabbitte, so long a great servant – and of course there were those first half wides and the ‘Broderick’ goal.
On our side O’Meara and Leahy were first in to greet the victors and congratulate English, Hogan and Bergin. Their personal problems were submerged in the glow of achievement. The mentors showed patience and made many well-timed moves in the campaign. Luck Tipp – undoubtedly had – we were like the showjumper who rattles the fences in a clear round – but no team deserved it better.
We had our back brats, too. The bottom line tells all we want to know – All-Ireland champions 2001.
Tipperary captain Tommy Dunne lifting the Liam McCarthy Cup.
By Michael Quinn Thu 16th Jul
