Where are the 2016 Tipperary Minor Hurling champions now?

By Liam Hogan

The one and only time Tipperary played Limerick in an All-Ireland Minor Hurling Final was ten years ago when the Premier were 1-21 to 0-17 winners at Croke Park, starting off a perfect day with the seniors beating Kilkenny later in the afternoon.

Marking the tenth anniversary of that success, it is appropriate to look back on that success under manager Liam Cahill and his management team of Michael Bevan, John Sheedy, TJ Ryan and Sean Corbett.

Losing to Waterford in the first round in Munster was a setback but they recovered to beat Clare and Cork before defeating Limerick by seven points in the Munster Final at the Gaelic Grounds.

A seven-goal win over Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final meant another tilt with Limerick in the final, this time the winning margin somewhat less with captain Brian McGrath going up the steps of the Hogan Stand to receive the Irish Press Cup.

Ciaran Barrett (Clonmel Og)

A winner of an All-Ireland Under 21 in 2018 medal as sub-keeper to Barry Hogan in the final. He won a Fitzgibbon Cup with Mary Immaculate College Limerick.

Killian O’Dwyer (Killenaule)

Killian added an All-Ireland Under 21 medal at corner back in 2018 and completed an impressive treble in 2019 when part of the extended panel with the seniors.

Michael Whelan (Carrick Davins)

The Davins man added an Under 21 medal in 2018 but made no further progress at inter-county level.

Tom Murphy (JK Brackens)

Tom led JK Brackens to their first Mid senior hurling title in 2022. Unfortunately, he has suffered a number of serious injuries and missed the 2025 season due to a torn Achilles.

Jerome Cahill (Kilruane MacDonaghs)

One of six players to win Under 21 & Under 20 medals, he also added a senior in 2019 but stepped away from the senior squad in 2021.

Brian McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney)

Captained Tipperary to minor victory in 2016 and added an Under 21 in 2018 before adding two Liam MacCarthy’s medals in 2019 & 2025.

Cian Flanagan (Newport)

Went on to win an Under 21 All-Ireland in 2018 but never made a senior squad. Has remained a stalwart for his Newport.

Paddy Cadell (JK Brackens)

Cadell went onto win under 20 & 21, and senior All-Ireland medals but never fully made an impact at the hightest level, not helped by injury. Has been a real leader for JK Brackens.

Ger Browne (Knockavilla-D Kickhams/Cashel King Cormacs)

Has also the full set of minor, U20/21 and senior medals, playing in the 2019 senior final as a sub but drifted off the senior panel. Has returned to form with Cashel this season.

Riain Doody (Cappawhite)

Last hurled with Cappawhite in the 2024 County Intermediate semi-final and has since concentrated on his rugby career. He won an Under 21 All-Ireland in 2018

Jake Morris (Nenagh Eire Og)

The only player to collect all five All-Ireland medals in the meantime. In 2019, the Under 21 grade was changed to Under 20 and Jake added another medal to the one won the previous year making the 2019 season a memorable one because of his Liam MacCarthy success. He doubled senior medal wins in 2025.

Colin English (Father Sheehys)

Man of the match in the 2016 All-Ireland. Captained Tipperary to the All-Ireland Under 21 success in 2018, and joined the senior panel for a short period.

Cian Darcy (Kilruane MacDonaghs)

A winner of minor and under 21 medals, the Kilruane man continues to be one of the leading forwards on the club scene.

Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan/Kilcash)

A winner of an All-Ireland Under 21 in 2018, worked his way to the senior panel and came on as a sub in the 2019 All-Ireland semi-final against Wexford thus adding a senior medal. He remained on the Tipp senior panel before heading to Australia in 2025.

Lyndon Fairbrother (JK Brackens)

Another double medal winner at minor and Under 21, Lyndon continues to be an ace marksman with his club.

Barry Hogan (Kiladangan)

A sub goalkeeper in the 2016, he graduated to number 1 for the Under 21 success over Cork in 2018, going onto be a starter at senior level, winning an All-Ireland in 2025 plus has two Dan Breen Cup medals with Kiladangan.

Shane Neville (Lattin Cullen)

Another winner of an under 21 All-Ireland medal in 2018, he moved onto Cratloe in Clare where he ended up playing senior football for Tipp for a season before transferring to Cashel King Cormacs in 2025.

Gavin Dunne (Holycross/Ballycahill)

Currently working in Dublin but not hurling at the moment. Played corner back with Holycross Seniors and won a County Junior ‘A’ Mid title in 2024.

Dylan Walsh (Ballingarry)

Super sub in the successful minor campaign he later added an Under 21 in 2018. Drafted into the senior squad in 2022 and 2025, played well in the league but work commitments meant he had to step away before the championship.

Dillon Quirke (Clonoulty/Rossmore)

The late Dillon Quirke had done it all by the time of his untimely passing in 2022, starting in the 2018 under 21 final win over Cork before going onto make his senior debut in 2022. Dillon made the double in 2018 as Clonoulty/Rossmore were crowned county senior hurling champions.

Conor Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields)

He was the man who scored the game clinching goal in the Under 21 final win over Cork. Since then, he has become an established member of the senior panel, starring at midfield in the 2025 All-Ireland success

Robbie Quirke (Cappawhite & Toomevara)

Added an Under 20 medal in 2019. He had transferred to Toomevara and continues to be a stalwart with the Greyhounds.

Jerry Kelly (Borris-Ileigh)

The attacker made great progress on the club scene winning a County & Munster club medals in 2019 before and impressive display in the All-Ireland club final defeat to Shamrocks Ballyhale but never made the senior grade.

Kieran Breen (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams)

Since last year’s County Intermediate final defeat to Golden Kilfeacle, Kieran Breen has had to call it a day because of a career-ending injury; a disappointing end that saw him win minor, under 20 & 21 All-Ireland medals.

Shane Fletcher (Roscrea)

After his minor success, Shane continues to hurl with his club and remains one of the most dangerous forwards in the game.

Eoin Barry (Killenaule)

Another player to win minor only. He has spent the last three years in Australia but is said to be returning home for the 2026 club campaign.

Adam Hogan (Moneygall)

The midfielder never progressed past minor grade but won a county intermediate medal with Moneygall in 2024.

Diarmuid Ryan (Clonakenny)

Diarmuid continues to be one of the best defenders in the club game. He added an Under 21 medal in 2018.

Nathan Ryan (Knockavilla-D Kickhams, Cashel King Cormacs)

Didn’t progress beyond minor level but his club transfer to Cashel King Cormacs has become one of the leaders with the Red & Green clad.

Stevie Nolan (Drom & Inch)

Went onto win an All-Ireland under 20 medal in 2018 and has played regularly for Drom & Inch until recently.

Bryan O’Mara (Holycross/Ballycahill)

He has become an established defender at senior level winning an All-Ireland in 2025, added to an under 20 success in 2019.

Gavin Ryan (St Mary’s)

Injury ravaged since then. Gavin is living in Australia for the last few years.