New and returning faces part of extended Tipp hurling panel

By Shane Brophy

The exclamation point was put on the 2025 inter-county hurling year on Sunday night when the Tipperary senior and under 20 hurlers were presented with their All-Ireland medals at a function at the Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh.

Both sets of medals, plus the Munster U20 Championship medals, were presented by GAA President Jarlath Burns, who along with Tipperary senior manager Liam Cahill in their addresses, also set the tone for the upcoming campaign, preparations for which are already underway with collective training having resumed at the end of last month, with the new Tipperary senior hurling panel taking shape.

With two pre-Christmas challenge games against Limerick (December 13th) in Fethard Town Park for the Dillion Quirke Foundation, and Kilkenny (December 20th) in Templetuohy for Mary’s Meals, plus a minimum of two games in the returning Munster League early in the New Year against Waterford and Kerry, Liam Cahill is carrying an extended panel before a final cut will be made prior to the start of the National League against Galway on January 24th; the confirmed fixtures list for which will be confirmed this week when the GAA releases its 2026 masters fixtures plan.

15 players, so far, have been added to the training panel, most notably is the return of two-time All-Ireland winning goalkeeper Brian Hogan, the 2019 All-Star from Lorrha is back after spending the last three years in Australia, adding competition for current All-Star Rhys Shelly and Barry Hogan.

There are seven players promoted from this years under 20 panel in Mason Cawley (Nenagh Eire Og), Adam Daly (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams), Joe Egan (Moycarkey/Borris), Cathal English (Father Sheehy’s), Tom Delaney (Borris-Ileigh), Cathal O’Reilly (Holycross/Ballycahill), and Adam Ryan (Arravale Rovers), the latter three are still eligible for under 20 in 2026.

Carrick Swan’s Stefan Tobin was earmarked for inclusion but the knee injury sustained in the county premier intermediate hurling final looks set to rule him out until at least February but he still has two years of eligibility for the under 20 grade as Tipp seek a three in a row of Munster titles plus look to defend the All-Ireland title.

Other new faces include Toomevara duo Adam Hall and Kevin McCarthy (older brother of Darragh), Alan Tynan’s brother Darragh from Roscrea, Boherlahan-Dualla duo Brian Og O’Dwyer and Charlie Ryan (eligible for under 20), plus there are recalls for former seniors Jack Leamy of Golden Kilfeacle and Thurles Sarsfields Paddy Creedon.

There are some others that could be added, including those from Upperchurch/Drombane who are still in competition having reached the All-Ireland Intermediate Club semi-final to be played the weekend before Christmas.

Four players have been let go from the panel including Moyne-Templetuohy’s Conor Bowe who has stepped away, having played championship against Limerick and Cork this year, as well as Kieran Cummins (Moycarkey/Borris), Gavin O’Halloran (Carrick Swan) and Danny Slattery (Clonoulty/Rossmore).