Tipperary’s post All-Ireland successes years

By Liam Hogan

Retaining the Liam MacCarthy Cup has been a challenge for Tipperary over the last sixty years.

Not since 1965 has the Premier County retained All-Ireland senior hurling title following their 2-16 to 0-10 win over Wexford. Jimmy Doyle was the winning captain as Tipp came won their 21st crown and take pole position in the role of honour.

That was Tipperary’s fifth time retaining the title having won back-to-back in 1896, completed a three-in-a-row in 1900 with another from 1949-51 before double back to back wins in 1961/62 and 1964/65.

In comparison, Kilkenny has retained Liam ten times while Cork achieved it on seven occasions.

1966

This was Tipperary’s first campaign without legendary manager Paddy Leahy who passed away on May 21st.

Leahy had been in charge of the team since 1949 and his stewardship saw Tipp win 8 All-Ireland’s and 11 National Leagues.

Tipp’s first championship game was a Munster semi-final with Limerick in Cork.

The Premier were shy of established players Tony Wall and Larry Kiely (both on army duty) plus Mick Roche and Jimmy Doyle were both injured. Doyle made an appearance as a substitute in the second half but could do nothing to prevent the Treaty County winning comprehensively 4-12 to 2-9. Limerick lost to Cork in the Munster final with the Rebels beating Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final.

1972

After their 1971 final win over Kilkenny in the final the previous September, Tipperary’s defence of their title began with a Munster semi-final clash with Cork at the Gaelic Grounds.

Tipp’s first half performance was impressive as they led the Rebels 3-7 to 2-1 at half time. Roger Ryan, John Flanagan and Noel O’Dwyer were the goal-scorers.

O’Dwyer’s point was Tipp’s only score in the second half as Tipp struggled with Charlie McCarthy’s free bringing parity at 3-8 apiece.

The replay was played two weeks later, again at the Gaelic Grounds. Tipp again led at half time, 2-4 to 1-2. Seamus Hogan supplied the opening goal after three minutes, his sideline ball going all the way to the net, with Mick Coen grabbing the second.

Cork staged a second half fightback to win 3-10 to 2-7 win but fell to Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final.

1990

Tipperary’s big win over Antrim in the 1989 final was Liam MacCarthy’s first visit to the Premier County in eighteen years.

Over 34,000 spectators saw Tipperary produce a second half recovery to defeat Limerick 2-20 to 1-17 in the Munster semi-final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

The Munster final against Cork was played at Semple Stadium. Played in sweltering heat, Tipp lost 4-16 to 2-14 in a game best remembered for the display of Cork centre forward Mark Foley who scored 2-7 from play.

Michael Cleary scored (1-5) and Nicky English added 1-4 as Gerry Slevin’s match report said that Tipp’s performance was one where the efforts of the previous four years had taken their toll. Cork defeated Galway in the All-Ireland final.

1992

Tipperary were back defending their crown and facing the Rebels once again, this time in a Munster quarter final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in front of 42,000 spectators.

Tipp held a one point lead in a low scoring first half but the concession of 1-3 in the opening minutes of the second was the difference.

Pat Fox, Cormac Bonnar and Nicky English were curtailed with Sean O’Gorman and championship debutant Brian Corcoran having the upperhand. Tomas Mulcahy’s goal helped Cork 2-12 to 0-10 in front with ten minutes remaining.

The final minutes belonged to Tipp as points by Conor Stakelum and Aidan Ryan plus a Declan Ryan goal brought some respectability to the scoreboard. Cork were winners 2-12 to 1-12 and but the Rebels fell to Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final.

2002

The 2001 All-Ireland win over Galway was the peak of Nicky English’s term as manager. The defence of their Munster title began with a hard fought win over Clare followed by an impressive semi-final win over Limerick at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Tipp were clear favourites for another Munster final win but Waterford had other ideas. The up and coming Deise side were much too fast for Tipp, winning 2-23 to 3-12.

Tipp defeated Antrim in an All-Ireland quarter final to set up a semi-final with Kilkenny. It was a terrific game with John Carroll scoring Tipp’s goal with the sides level going into the final ten minutes before Kilkenny outscored Tipp 1-5 to 0-4, on route to an All-Ireland final win over Clare.

2011

After the great win over Kilkenny in 2010, it was the turn of Declan Ryan, as new manager, to lead Tipp to their third All-Ireland final appearance in a row.

The campaign started impressively with with victories over Cork (3-22 to 0-23), Clare (4-19 to 1-19) and Waterford (7-19 to 0-19) which yielded another Munster title.

An All-Ireland semi-final win over Dublin (1-19 to 0-18) followed and Tipp were facing Kilkenny in the decider once again. The Cats held the upperhand at half time, 1-8 to 0-6. Richie Hogan’s goal in the 49th minute pushed Kilkenny 2-12 to 0-10 in front. Pa Bourke’s goal in the 55th minute helped Tipp get within three but that was as good as it got in what was Tipp’s closest attempt at retaining the title since 1965.

2017

The manner of Tipp’s win over Kilkenny in the 2016 final was excellent but the defence of the Munster and All-Ireland titles were difficult in 2017. A Munster quarter final defeat to Cork (2-27 to 1-26) at Semple Stadium meant the scenic route in which they defeated Westmeath with some bother (2-08 to 0-15) before accounting for Dublin and Clare. The win over the Banner was the first championship game played at the redeveloped Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

This led to third consecutive semi-final with Galway at Croke Park. Tipp lost 0-22 to 1-18 in a game best remembered by Joe Canning’s incredible match winner under the Cusack Stand. Galway went on to win the All-Ireland with a win over Waterford.

2020

Ireland was visited by the Covid pandemic which pushed sport very much to the sidelines with Tipp caught in a storm by being in Spain on a training camp when restrictions were introduced in March and on their return were quarantined for two weeks.

The hurling world was at a standstill until October when the green light was given. The Munster championship would revert to straight knockout with losing teams gaining a reprieve through the qualifiers. No spectators were allowed into the grounds.

Tipperary played Limerick in the Munster semi-final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh; with Limerick winning 3-23 to 2-17. Thirteen days later, Tipp faced Cork in the first round of the qualifiers and won 2-18 to 1-17 at the Gaelic Grounds, before a week later, fourteen man Tipp fell to Galway 3-23 to 2-24; Galway losing the semi-final to Limerick.