Tipperary defeat Cork 3-27 to 1-18 to win their 29th All-Ireland Hurling title at Croke Park
An exceptional performance by Liam Cahill’s men saw The Premier County run out 3-27 to 1-18 winners on an overcast July day in front of a sellout crowd at headquarters.
It was not to be for Cork who were on a quest to win their 31st Liam MacCarthy trophy, their first in 20 long years.
But a dominant second half fightback from Tipperary cast aside any say that Cork might have had in the narrative coming out of this one, given that they were bookies favourites having beaten Tipp twice already this year.
“What a day to be alive,” said 26-year-old Tipperary fan Ciara Horan from Drangan. Despite being underdogs heading into Sunday’s tie, Ms Horan never doubted that her county could do the job on the day, despite having lost twice to Cork already this year.
20 July 2025; Tipperary manager Liam Cahill celebrates after the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Cork and Tipperary at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
“I had an awful feeling in my waters that they were going to do it.”
No less faithful was Caley Maher, 30, from Thurles whose unbridled joy echoed above the thronging crowds of hurling fans.
“I back Tipp every day of the week,” Mr Maher said confidently, before indicating that he might not be the only one leaving Croke Park with more silverware than he had going in.
“I had them backed going in and I got paid out earlier on, so lovely!”
Reflecting on their patchier form earlier in the campaign, Mr Maher believes the team “leant on that” to produce a winning performance as defiant as Sunday’s.
Perhaps seeing a Tipperary win as less-than-likely was Brendan Ryan, 46, from Cloughjordan who was positive but not totally certain that he would be celebrating by 5pm.
Describing the result as “epic”, Mr Ryan was not so full of certainty before throw-in.
20 July 2025; Jason Forde, left, and John McGrath of Tipperary celebrate with the Liam MacCarthy Cup after the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Cork and Tipperary at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
“We were probably hopeful coming up,” he said. “Even at half-time we were kind of saying ‘we’re kind of in it’ but then we stayed tagging on a couple of points.”
Mr Ryan thinks the red card shown to Eoin Downey in the second half was pivotal in determining Tipperary’s fortunes by full-time.
“I’d say the sending off was probably a crucial part. It was a big changing point and we just kicked off from there.”
Sharing a similar sentiment was Séamus Darcy, 62, who flew in from New York specifically to watch his native county do the business.
“50:50 is what we were thinking coming into the game. I think they surprised us in the second half how they really got into the game and took it to Cork.”
Flanked by her cousin from the losing side, Tipperary fan Jessica Stapleton, 19, could not help but throw a friendly jibe, stating: “It’s always good to beat Cork.”
However, she admitted to not being so assured of her team’s chances heading into the game based on prior shortcomings by Liam Cahill’s men on the field this year.
Fans react as Tipperary crowned All-Ireland hurling champions
“I thought Cork would win by the same amount,” Ms Stapleton said.
Tipperary captain Ronan Maher dedicated the county’s victory to the memory of Dillon Quirke, who died playing the sport in Thurles three years ago.
Tears flowed and sustained applause rang out around Croke Park as Maher paid tribute to Quirke, shortly after lifting the Liam MacCarthy Cup.
“One player who is no longer with us, but is so much part of what we are – Dillon Quirke,” he said.
“We carried your spirit with us every step of the way. You were in the dressing room, you were on the field of play, you were in our hearts.
“We hope we did you and your family proud.”
In August 2022, Quirke collapsed and died while playing for his club Clonoulty-Rossmore at Semple Stadium.
Sunday’s result will undoubtedly leave indelible feelings of joy among supporters of Tipperary. However, there is a whole generation of Cork fans who have grown up not knowing anything like the euphoria of what a victory would have brought the county under the stewardship of Pat Ryan.
“After them winning the league, after them winning the Munster, I didn’t think this is how it would go, but this is sport unfortunately,” said a dejected 22-year-old Tara O’Mahony from Ballincollig.
“Especially coming after last year and the heartbreak that the lads felt and we all felt as supporters.”
Dónal Dowling, 49, who hails form Kilkenny but was at Croke Park to support the county of his family, lamented Cork’s decision-making during the game.
“One thing I’ll say about Cork is they seem to launch a lot of high balls in the Tipperary end and, in the past, Tipperary just sweep up that stuff and it really worked for them,” he said.
“I thought at half-time they had it won, to be fair.”
Aoife Revins, 31, from Glanmire in Cork said that she is “devastated”.
“Cork worked so hard this year. they put in the shift, and unfortunately it was probably hyped a bit too much,” Ms Revins said.
She shared her sympathy with Cork manager Pat Ryan who she said “put in the work in the background”.
“I don’t think he gets enough credit.”
Meanwhile, tears flowed openly in Cork as the Rebels bid to end the county’s hurling drought ended in bitter disappointment.
Fans were decked in the Rebels famous ‘blood-and-bandages’ colours across Cork city and in every county town and village in anticipation of bringing the Liam McCarthy Cup back to Leeside for the first time since 2005.
However, fans were left shell-shocked as Cork collapsed in the second half at Croke Park and a six point half-time lead evaporated in the face of a Tipperary onslaught.
Thousands gathered at SuperValu Pairc Uí Chaoimh where a special fanzone was set up to cater for those who couldn’t secure a ticket for the Croke Park classic.
20 July 2025; Tipperary goalkeeper Rhys Shelly celebrates late in the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Cork and Tipperary at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Not even heavy showers could deter Rebel fans from creating a party atmosphere from mid morning.
Thousands of fans ignored the downpours to follow the Cork-Tipperary match on a giant screen complete with RTÉ commentary at the home of Cork GAA.
All Ireland tickets were as rare as hen’s teeth on Leeside with some senior clubs receiving requests 1,000pc above their Croke Park allocation.
Over 60,000 Cork fans travelled to Dublin for the hurling final – an estimated 20,000 of whom travelled without tickets but in the hope of picking up passes and determined to share in the atmosphere around Croke Park.
Ballygiblin GAA official Liam O’Doherty said he had never before experienced such incredible demand for All Ireland tickets.
Major venues across Cork were also thronged as fans gathered in their thousands from early Sunday afternoon to watch the match.
Deep South on Grand Parade in Cork city centre had a 100 metre long queue for admittance just after lunch.
To add to the sense of occasion at SuperValu Pairc Uí Chaoimh, the GAA even organised official All Ireland hurling final programmes to be on sale at the venue.
However, the party atmosphere had fallen flat just 15 minutes into the second half as Cork wilted in the face of a flurry of Premier County scores.
Cork fans were visibly alarmed as the Rebel side seemed unable to respond to a rampant Tipp side.
20 July 2025; Cork manager Pat Ryan during the closing stages of the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Cork and Tipperary at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
With ten minutes left in the match, youngsters were openly fighting back tears while hundreds began to fold their flags and banners to walk sadly home.
Mary Murphy from Glanmire admitted she was heartbroken she couldn’t secure an All-Ireland ticket – but was now relieved she wasn’t at Croke Park.
“I’d be sick if I was there and had to drive back to Cork after that second half,” she said.
“I just don’t know what happened. It was as if Cork couldn’t get out of second gear. Everyone is devastated for the players.”
Joe Coughlan attended the fanzone with his wife, Marie, and their two children.
“My brother got a ticket but I missed out this year. We decided to come here for the sense of occasion and the atmosphere for the kids.”
“There was a great buzz here. It is just heart-breaking for Cork that they couldn’t see it home,” the Togher native said.
“I don’t know what to say about that second half. It is almost as if Cork froze. In fairness to Tipp, Cork has no answers to their performance after half time.”
Brid O’Brien from Mahon said the excitement had been at fever pitch all week around Cork.
“It is devastating after what happened last year. I think everyone was convinced that this was Cork’s year. It will take a long time for the pain of this one to pass.”
In the city centre, what had promised to be the party of the year quickly transformed into a mood of mourning.
Cork have now lost their last five All Ireland hurling finals in 2006, 2013, 2021, 2024 and 2025.
Cork Co Board and Cork City Council will stage a special homecoming for the team on Monday evening to honour a season which did deliver a Munster championship title and a National League.
