It’s the All-Ireland Final weekend and the Tipperary team to play Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final on Sunday next, August 18th, at 3.30pm in Croke Park has been announced by manager Liam Sheedy.
There are no changes from the side that started in the recent semi-final victory. Therefore, Séamus Kennedy holds onto his place after being a late call up the last day.
The Tipperary team is as follows;
1. Brian Hogan – Lorrha-Dorrha
2. Cathal Barrett – Holycross-Ballycahill
3. Barry Heffernan – Nenagh Éire Óg
4. Ronan Maher – Thurles Sarsfields
5. Brendan Maher – Borris-Ileigh
6. Padraic Maher – Thurles Sarsfields
7. Séamus Kennedy – St. Mary’s
8. Noel McGrath – Loughmore-Castleiney
9. Michael Breen – Ballina
10. Dan McCormack – Borris-Ileigh
11. John O’Dwyer – Killenaule
12. Niall O’Meara – Kilruane MacDonaghs
13. Jason Forde – Silvermines
14. Séamus Callanan (Capt.) – Drom-Inch
15. John McGrath – Loughmore-Castleiney
16. Paul Maher – Moyne-Templetuohy
17. James Barry – Upperchurch-Drombane
18. Ger Browne – Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams
19. Robert Byrne – Portroe
20. Jerome Cahill – Kilruane MacDonaghs
21. Willie Connors – Kiladangan
22. Alan Flynn – Kiladangan
23. Mark Kehoe – Kilsheelan-Kilcash
24. Donagh Maher – Burgess
25. Jake Morris – Nenagh Éire Óg
26. Seán O’Brien – Newport
Fixture Details
18.08.2019 (Sun)
GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final
Cill Chainnigh v Tiobraid Árann
Páirc an Chrócaigh, 15.30
Referee: James Owens (Loch Garman)
Stand By: Paud O Dwyer (Ceatharlach)
Linesman: Johnny Murphy (Luimneach)
Sideline: Liam Gordon (Gaillimh)
Umpires: James Dunbar, David Owens (both Askamore), Joe Kelly (Naomh Éanna) and Ian Plunkett (Marshalstown)
ALL-IRELAND SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
When the tectonic plates of hurling giants collide, the force of nature created between these powers is something to be marvelled, it is unique, unrivalled and incomparable. The energy released, particularly where the plates meet, causes supporters to erupt into a frenzy of excitement and giddiness as they are transposed onto a new plateau full of hope and expectation, while they await their hero’s arrival on the hallowed plain of Croke Park.
Sunday next, August 18th, will be no different as Tipperary and Kilkenny collide at 3:30pm in the molten heat of battle before a sell-out attendance in Croke Park. This is the pinnacle of the hurling year, nowhere else would players or supporters want to be, as the coveted prize of a Celtic Cross awaits the side that unleashes the greatest force causing the other to crumble and buckle. Hopefully, that force come Sunday, will be blue and gold to the core and with it the dream of seeing the Liam MacCarthy Cup raised high to a volcanic Premier roar.
There have been 27 previous championship meetings between these great rivals, with Tipperary winning 14 of those to Kilkenny’s 12 and there was one draw. Of more acute and current interest is the match-up between opposing managers with the score settled on one apiece in All-Ireland Final showdown. Tipp manager Liam Sheedy will be going for two in a row on Sunday, albeit with a nine year time span. He has the passion, determination and the players to deliver; Sunday will be the ultimate examination when pitted against the most successful manager of all time in Brian Cody.
So as well look forward to the 132nd staging of the All-Ireland Hurling final, the following are details of the 27 Tipperary/Kilkenny clashes throughout the illustrious championship, all are All Ireland finals, except where stated;
27/101887, at Urlingford, Tipperary (Thurles) 4-7 Kilkenny (Tullaroan) 0-0, semi-final;
15/3/1896, at Jones’ Road, Tipperary (Tubberadora) 6-8 Kilkenny (Tullaroan) 1-0 (1895 final);
25/3/1900, at Jones Road, Tipperary (Tubberadora) 7-13 Kilkenny (Threecastles) 3-10 (1898 final);
29/6/1902, at Carrick on Suir, Tipperary (Two Mile Borris) 1-11 Mooncoin 1-8, (1900 Semi-final);
12/12/1909, at Cork, Kilkenny (Mooncoin) 4-6 Tipperary (Thurles) 0-12;
28/7/1912, at Dungarvan, Kilkenny (Tullaroan) 3-3 Tipperary (Thurles) 1-2 (Unofficial 1911 final, after Limerick withdrew and Tipp were nominated to replace them);
2/11/1913 at Croke Park, Kilkenny (Mooncoin) 2-4 Tipperary (Toomevara) 1-2;
21/1/1917, at Croke Park, Tipperary (Boherlahan) 5-4 Kilkenny (Tullaroan) 3-2 (1916 final);
9/9/1923 at Croke Park, Kilkenny 4-2 Tipperary 2-6;
5/9/1937 at Killarney, Tipperary 3-11 Kilkenny 0-3;
2/9/1945, at Croke Park, Tipperary 5-6 Kilkenny 3-6;
3/9/1950, at Croke Park, Tipperary 1-9 Kilkenny 1-8;
10/8/1958 at Croke Park, Tipperary 1-13 Kilkenny 1-8, semi-final;
6/9/1964 at Croke Park, Tipperary 5-13 Kilkenny 2-8;
3/9/1967, at Croke Park, Kilkenny 3-8 Tipperary 2-7;
5/9/1971 at Croke Park, Tipperary 5-17 Kilkenny 5-14;
1/9/1991, at Croke Park, Tipperary 1-16 Kilkenny 0-15;
18/8/2002 at Croke Park, Kilkenny 1-20 Tipperary 1-16, semi-final;
17/8/2003, at Croke Park, Kilkenny 3-18 Tipperary 0-15, semi-final;
6/9/2009 at Croke Park, Kilkenny 2-22 Tipperary 0-23;
5/9/2010, at Croke Park, Tipperary 4-17 Kilkenny 1-18;
4/9/2011 at Croke Park, Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 1-16;
19/8/2012, at Croke Park, Kilkenny 4-24 Tipperary 1-15, semi-final;
6/7/2013, at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny 0-20 Tipperary 1-14, Qualifier;
7/9/2014 at Croke Park, Tipperary 1-28 Kilkenny 3-22, Draw:
27/8/2014 at Croke Park, Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 2-14, Replay;
5/9/2016, at Croke Park, Tipperary 2-29 Kilkenny 2-20
The record attendance for a Tipperary v Kilkenny championship meeting was set on September 7th, 2014, when the teams played a first ever championship draw, which was in the All-Ireland final, at Croke Park. Tipperary scored 1-28 and Kilkenny 3-22 when 82,179 patrons were present to witness that epic final, as Hawk Eye sent the game to a replay, by ruling John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer had struck a long range free narrowly wide of the target. In 2009, there were 82,106 people present to witness Kilkenny winning their fourth title in a row. The third highest attendance of 82,016 saw Tipperary win the 2016 decider; on a day that, current captain, Seamus Callanan scored 0-13 in a man of the match performance.
Tipperary’s nine championship wins against Kilkenny over the past 100 years has seen two forwards captaining the winning team. Sean Kenny wore No. 12 in 1950 and Eoin Kelly at No. 13 was the man in 2010. The seven other successful captains were Jim Lanigan (No. 4, 1937), John Maher (No. 6, 1945), Tony Wall (No. 6, 1958), Michael Murphy (No. 7, 1964), Tadhg O’Connor (No. 5, 1971), Declan Carr (No. 8, 1991) and Brendan Maher (No. 8, 2016).
There have only been two previous occasions in which neither of the All-Ireland finalists had won their provincial title, Cork and Kilkenny was the first such clash in 2004, while Clare v Cork in 2013 was the other.
Tipperary dethroned All-Ireland champions Kilkenny on four occasions in 1958, 1964, 2010 and 2016, while Kilkenny dethroned Tipperary in 1909, 2002 and 2011.
Since the introduction of the initial second chance championship in 1997, only three counties have come back from a provincial final defeat, to win the All-Ireland title. The feat was first achieved by Offaly (1998), Cork (2004) and Kilkenny (2012). Whatever the result on Sunday, this statistic will be added to by whichever captain lifts the Liam MacCarthy Cup, all of Tipperary hopes that Seamus Callanan will be the man.
And finally as we close out the short review of history between the sides, the only previous game played on August 18th, was the classic 2002 semi-final.
So, heading into the remaining days leading up to this weekend, it’s time to get the flags, bunting and colours out and adorn every parish of the county from top to bottom with blue and gold in support of our men and ladies who have prepared long and hard for their matches this weekend.
To Seamus Callanan and the panel, Liam Sheedy and his management team we send our very best wishes and support to all as we get ready for road to Croke Park.
The referee on Sunday will be James Owens (Wexford) who also refereed last year’s final. This will be his third final in charge having also previously overseen the 2015 final.
By Jonathan Cullen Thu 15th Aug
