Cahill is Top Tipp man for 2025
Alice Leahy honoured for charitable work
Image 1 of 2
Tipperary Hurling Manager, Liam Cahill, was announced as Tipperary Person of the Year by the Tipperary Association Dublin. Pictured after the announcement were (left to right): Liam Cahill, Tom Sherlock, President Tipperary Association Dublin, and Louis Fitzgerald of the Fitzgerald Group, award sponsor.Image 2 of 2
Alice Leahy of the Alice Leahy Trust, an organisation that cares for the vulnerable and down-outs in society, is to be inducted into the Tipperary Association Dublin’s Hall of Fame for 2025. Pictured at the announcement were (left to right): Jarlath Daly and Tom Sherlock, Tipperary Association Dublin, with Alice Leahy and on the extreme right, Willie Ahern of the Palace Bar, award sponsor.The Tipperary Association Dublin is delighted to announce that its Person of the Year 2025 is Tipperary senior hurling manager, Ballingarry clubman, Liam Cahill. Alice Leahy has been chosen as the inductee in the association’s Hall of Fame for 2025.
Person of the Year Award
Liam Cahill took over the Tipperary team in 2022 at a time when they were playing second fiddle to Limerick, Cork, Clare in Munster. He quickly set about putting a plan in place to bring Tipperary hurling back to the top – assembling a squad of players and a management team focussed on that objective. Proving success doesn’t come overnight Tipperary had a few bumps on the road back. But Liam and his management team and the playing squad stuck to their task despite much criticism and disappointment especially in 2024.
He introduced a number of young players to the squad and blooded them during the league and championship run, merging them seamlessly into the squad that performed so valiantly in the final against the hottest of favourites, Cork. He and his fellow management team ignored criticisms and made some hard decisions which ultimately led to a fantastic All-Ireland victory.
Cahill had shown his management expertise and the ability to work with players, the clubs and county board at underage level in previous years. He was a winning manager at minor level in 2014 to 2016 winning the All-Ireland title at that grade in 2016. He managed Tipperary to the U21 All-Ireland title in 2018 and the U20 title in 2019.
However, the senior success in the All-Ireland championship this year must stand as one of the greatest achievements in Tipperary hurling. Drawing with Limerick, winning in the cauldron of Ennis when the game seemed to be lost, victory over Waterford and despite a controversial loss to Cork we qualified for the All-Ireland series. A semi-final victory over old rivals, Kilkenny, brought anticipation and excitement to new levels for Tipperary people at home and worldwide as the final beckoned.
The performance of the Tipperary team in the final was fantastic at every level. The second half performance by the Tipp team was a masterpiece in turning adversity into advantage.
The President of the Tipperary Association Dublin, Tom Sherlock, said: “The energy, skill and tactical nous displayed by the team in that second half is the stuff of legends – all orchestrated magnificently by Liam Cahill and his team. While the players in the Tipp squad and the back-room team were astounding, for his ability to mesh the collective abilities in the way that he did, makes Liam Cahill a standout and deserving Person of the Year for 2025.”
Hall of Fame
Alice Leahy is the founder and CEO of the charitable organisation Trust, which provides care and support for people on the margins of society. Trust is a highly respected organisation and while it carries out its work in a low-profile way, Alice is frequently contacted by the media for comment on Social Justice issues.
Trust is a non-judgmental organisation and welcomes anyone who has fallen on hard times. It has many clients from all walks of life and nationalities, and all receive comfort, conversation, comradeship, sustenance and perhaps most importantly a sense of being wanted.
A native of Fethard, Alice is a nurse by profession. Trust will celebrate the golden jubilee of its foundation this year and Alice has led the organisation throughout that period. On behalf of the Trust, Alice has built up strong relationships with An Garda Siochana. She is regularly invited to speak to trainee Gardai to give them an insight into what it is like to be homeless and disenfranchised. She has also lectured in hospitals and has published several books. She was chosen as the association’s Person of the Year in 2003.
For 50 years Alice has led from the front with action not words. She and Trust have kept a low profile and rely on personal and business donations to fund services.
The President of the Tipperary Association Dublin, Tom Sherlock, added: “For her ceaseless efforts in caring for the marginalised and forgotten in our society for the past 50 years the association is proud to induct Alice Leahy into the Hall of Fame for 2025.”
Awards Ceremony
The awards will be presented at a function in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel on Saturday, January 17. Full details to follow.