65 years since Cork and Tipp last met in a League decider

By Liam Hogan

It’s hard to believe that despite the many times that close rivals Tipperary and Cork have met in both championship and league, it’s 65 years since the teams met in a National Hurling League final.

It was back on May 1st, 1960 in the Athletic Grounds (now Pairc Ui Chaoimh), a game that attracted 28,000 people to see the great rivals play. Indeed, many at the time wondered why Tipp volunteered to head south. It made no difference. Tipp retained the title, their ninth and their eighth in twelve years, winning 2-15 to 3-8.

Winning the final was important to Tipperary. As All-Ireland champions in 1958, they were surprisingly defeated by Waterford in the Munster semi-final of 1959. Indeed, the manner of the defeat was every more surprising. Tipp won the toss but decided to play against a very strong breeze. The decision backfired and Tipp trailed 8-2 to nil at half time, who would believe it! Even Michael O’Hehir could not believe it when he relayed the message as he broadcast a Connacht Senior Football championship game in Castlebar. A second half comeback materialised but Waterford won 9-3 to 3-4 and went on to defeat Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final, following a replay.

Thankfully there was a source of comfort for Tipperary who were crowned League champions in 1959, resulting in a trip to America to play New York in the St. Brendan’s Cup final, an annual event for the League champions at the time. Tipp won the first leg 4-11 to 1-5 but lost the second 4-8 to 3-5.

The team prepared for the 1960 National League which would begin on the 11th of October 1959. Division 1 had twelve teams, two groups of six with Tipp grouped along with Galway, Clare, Kerry, Limerick and Carlow.

There were three rounds played before Christmas and Tipp won their first game away to Galway 2-9 to 1-6. With Thurles Sarsfields defeating Kilruane in the county final two months earlier, it was no surprise to new players like Patsy Dorney (Sarsfields) and Jimmy Gibson (Kilruane MacDonaghs) donning Tipp colours for the game. Two weeks later, Tipp played poorly but yet defeated Carlow 4-7 to 1-9 in Roscrea before winning their third game, accounting for Clare in Ennis 5-11 to 2-3.

The league recommenced on February 14th 1960 with Tipp receiving a bye. Surprisingly the next round of games would not be played until the April 3rd, but the players had plenty to occupy their time. Both John Doyle and Jimmy Doyle helped Munster win another Railway Cup as a Waterford laden team defeated Leinster 6-6 to 2-7 in front of over 40,00 spectators on St Patrick’s Day.

Meanwhile, the Tipperary selectors requested 36 players attend a trial, the probables versus the possibles in Thurles, on March 20th. A panel of 23 players were selected for the final league game against Limerick in Thurles and Tipp were convincing winners, 3-16 to 2-3, seeing them through to the final against Cork who had scored 29 goals in their five league games.

So, the scene was set for the final. Mick Dunne in the Irish Press suggested a more free-flowing Cork side would be good enough to win while John D Hickey in the Independent gave a guarded nod to Tipperary.

As expected, the opening half didn’t disappoint and as scores were level three times in the opening quarter. A Liam Connolly goal gave Tipp a three point lead but Cork, favoured by a slight breeze, recovered and two Christy Ring goals had them 2-5 to 1-5 in front at the break.

Tipperary took the initiative in the opening bouts of the second half as Donie Nealon’s point was closely followed by a second Connolly goal. Ring levelled with a free. Jimmy Doyle gave Tipp the lead but Liam Dowling levelled once more.

The game appeared to be heading for a fight finish but then Tipp took over and leaders in Jimmy Doyle, Liam Devaney, Donie Nealon and Tom Ryan while Tony wall and John Doyle were the mainstay in defence as the forwards began to reel off the points.

The Rebels came back with Ring (who scored 3-4 including 2-3 from play) registering a late goal. Mick Cashman in goal, Jimmy Brohan and Liam Dowling were Cork’s best.

Tipperary team: Terry Moloney (Arravale Rovers); Mikey Byrne (Thurles Sarsfields), Michael Maher (Holycross/Ballycahill), Kieran Carey (Roscrea); Mick Burns (Eire Og Nenagh), Tony Wall (Thurles Sarsfields), John Doyle (Holycross/Ballycahill); Theo English (Marlfield 0-1), Tom Ryan (Killenaule 0-2); Jimmy Doyle (Thurles Sarsfields 0-9 3f), Liam Devaney (Borris-Ileigh), Donie Nealon (Burgess 0-2); Liam Connolly (Coolmoyne 2-0), Billy McLoughney (Kiladangan), Tom McLoughney (Kilruane MacDonaghs). Sub: Gerry McCarthy (Kilruane MacDonaghs 0-1) for McLoughney.

The remaining substitutes for the final were Roger Mounsey (Toomevara), Sean Williams & Jimmy Gibson (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Noel Murphy (Thurles Sarsfields).

Other players on the extended panel were: Matt Hassett (Toomevara), Liam Skelly (Holycross/Ballycahill), Jim McDonnell (Burgess); Patsy Dorney, Michael ‘Musha’ Maher (Thurles Sarsfields); Joe Williams (Kilruane MacDonaghs)