Finn is backing Tipp to win All-Ireland

By Michael Dundon

Being able to take advantage of being in the right place at the right time is an integral part of sporting success.

For Borris-Ileigh’s Jimmy Finn, Tipperary’s oldest living All-Ireland Senior Hurling winning captain, his opportunity to accept the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 1951, as the youngest player from the county to do so, arose in circumstances he would not have wished for but which, nevertheless, enabled him to join the elite band of Tipperary All-Ireland winning captains.

Beaten by Cork in the 1948 Munster minor hurling final, Jimmy enjoyed success at All-Ireland level the following year when Tipp beat Kilkenny in the final.

His club was on the crest of the wave at that time winning four North titles in a row, 1950-1953 and again in 1955 while also capturing county honours in 1949, ‘50 & ‘53. At the heart of it all was the young Jimmy Finn whose classy defensive work, even at that tender age, singled him out as a remarkable talent.

After the minor success in 1949, Jimmy was drafted into the county senior squad winning the first of his six National League medals that campaign coming on as a sub in the final. He won his first senior All-Ireland in 1950 with Borris-Ileigh team-mate Sean Kenny leading the team.

Sean was again captain in 1951 but a knee injury against Waterford sidelined him. As county champions, the captaincy was in Borris’ gift. Jimmy and Ned Ryan were in line for the honour and a toss of a coin decreed that Jimmy would become the youngest captain to lead the Premier County to All-Ireland honours as they completed the famous three-in-a-row of All-Ireland titles at Wexford’s expense.

He went on to win his last All-Ireland medal in 1958, after which his career came to a premature end due to an eye injury sustained in a club game against Roscrea in 1959. That brought the curtain down on a remarkable career that yielded every honour in the game.

His 94th birthday is later this year. He still retains an avid interest in hurling and watches the games on television, and has high hopes for Tipperary in the All-Ireland Final on Sunday.

“Cork are most people’s fancy and deservedly so. Their forwards are very good. They are a big physical team, and they play a very fast game but in a two-horse race you always have a chance and I give our lads every chance on Sunday,” Finn says.

Jimmy feels this year’s team is similar to that of 1958 when Tipp, after seven years in the doldrums, introduced some younger players into the team and went on to beat Galway in the All-Ireland final.

“Tipp have done the same thing this year,” he added.

“The younger lads are settling in very well and while they may be inexperienced at senior level, they are used to winning and will have no fear. They hurled very well against Kilkenny in the semi-final and that too will give them confidence.”

Acknowledging that Cork have twice beaten Tipp in big games this year and that they are the hottest of favourites, Jimmy reminds people that Tipp did beat Cork in the league.

“Tipp are in a good place going into the final. Everybody is talking about Cork, but our boys are getting better with every game, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they pull off a great win”, he says.

There will be no one more pleased than the Borris-Ileigh maestro to see Ronan Maher climb the steps of the Hogan Stand next Sunday to accept the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

“They are good lads, and they will do their best for Tipperary. The pressure is on Cork and our lads can make the most of that”, he concluded.