The hurling roundtable: six experts on the All-Ireland decider

Irish Examiner

18-07-2025

John Allen, former Cork and Limerick manager
1. Are the country's best two teams contesting Sunday's final?
Yes. The two most consistent teams are in the final. Tipp have only lost three matches this year. They lost to Limerick and Cork in the league final. The only other game they lost in the championship was the Munster championship against Cork, in which they were down to 14 men for the entire game. Cork have only lost two games, Tipp in the league and Limerick in the Munster championship.
2. Who's your hurler of the year at this moment and why?
Hurler of the year for me is Brian Hayes. He has 10 goals in league and championship this season and has assisted 10 more. He's unmarkable at times, brings something unique to the Cork attack. An option from puck outs, ruthless in front of goal and brings others into the play. Honourable mention to Huw Lawlor and Jake Morris 3. Who's been the breakout star of the Hurling Championship?
Darragh McCarthy has been impressive from the very start of his fledgling career .He's had a bit of bad luck in the card department this year which doesn't take away from his ability as a top class hurler Diarmaid Healy Cork and Aidan O'Connor Limerick have both been impressive as has Oisín O'Donoghue Tipp four. What championship game has showcased modern hurling at its finest?
The game which showcased the modern game of hurling for me was the Munster final between Cork and Limerick. It had a bit of everything. Frantic pace, few frees, physicality. Some great score taking. Loads of tactical battles, zonal marking of Limerick versus man to man of Cork. Draw, extra time, penalty shoot out. Skill levels and conditioning are the best they've ever been.
5. If you could change one hurling rule, what would it be?
Dissent penalised.
6. How do Tipperary counter Cork's lethal inside threat?
Very difficult task, they have to try and protect the full back line while also putting pressure on the ball out the field. It's getting the timing right of dropping off but also not letting Shane Barrett get on ball in the midfield. Does Rónán Maher play at six and drop off or does he mark Brian Hayes inside. Tipperary will have to work very hard around the middle which they are good at. Cork will have a similar problem on the other side, Tipp have extremely dangerous forwards so Rob Downey needs to make a decision does he follow Ormond or does he protect the full back line.
7. Will pressure on Cork to deliver after a 20-year wait hang heavy over them?
The experience of last year's final will stand to Cork. Navigating the build up, tickets, travel etc. there's always pressure in a final but they'll have all bases covered and it's just about performing on the day. Pat Ryan is very level headed and will be able to keep them focused on the task at hand. Experience of winning the league and Munster finals should stand to them as well.
8. Who's your All-Ireland champions and why?
I think Cork will win the final, they've a better balanced side and with the experience of last year they should be able to deal with the build up better. I don't think Tipp will be able to hold all the Cork forwards. Liam Cahill is a great manager and has beaten Cork teams in underage finals when Tipp have been written off before. They won't be found wanting. It should be a great occasion..
Brian Dowling, Kildare hurling manager
ALL WHITE: Kildare manager Brian Dowling says he has things to discuss with the county board before committing for the exciting 2026 season. Pic: INPHO/Bryan Keane
1 Are the country's best two teams contesting Sunday's final?
Yes I believe the best two teams are in the final on merit. They both have been consistent all year after making the League final too. Cork have been the best team all year, Tipperary have got out of Munster and beaten Kilkenny and Galway to get to the final. Limerick would have been expected to get to the final but Dublin deservedly beat them in the quarter final. Kilkenny were never going to be far away but Cork and Tipperary deserve to be in this final.
2. Who's your hurler of the year at this moment and why?
Brian Hayes. No question here. He has been terrific in the league and championship. He is the x factor in this Cork team. He is so hard to handle, he can win the ball anyway you want. low or high. Once in hand all he wants to do is head for goal. He has scored 10 and assisted another 10 of Cork's last 30 goals, that says it all. I love watching him play. Some of the touches and flicks against Dublin were pure class.
3. Who's been the breakout star of the Hurling Championship?
Adam English. I know he is not a new name but this year was the breakout year for Adam. He became a regular starter for Limerick. He is a joy to watch. He played well in every game this year for Limerick. To keep Darragh O'Donovan out of the starting team says it all. He is electric when he has ball in hand. Honorable mentions for Robert Byrne and Sam O'Farrell. What championship game has showcased modern hurling at its finest?
The Munster final. It had everything. Tyler Walsh kept the whistle in the pocket which made it a great spectacle to watch. Extra time and penalties added to the drama. Dublin vs Limerick was a brilliant game, Dublin brought an unreal intensity that Limerick could not match on the day.
5. If you could change one hurling rule, what would it be?
Two points for a sideline. It's a rule already in camogie. It's a great skill and players should be rewarded with more than one point for such a difficult skill to do. Galway could have won more All Irelands if this rule was in play when Joe Canning was playing!
6. How do Tipperary counter Cork's lethal inside threat?
Good question! It is not going to be easy. Cork are so good at playing it short if they need to and mix it up by going long. The Tipp full back line have to attack the ball and trust themselves. If the Cork full forward line are allowed space and good ball they are impossible to stop as we saw against Dublin. The work rate from Tipp in the middle third is crucial to limit the amount of deliveries to the Cork full forward line. Getting the match ups right will be crucial!
7. Will pressure on Cork to deliver after a 20-year wait hang heavy over them?
I don't think so. This is a new team, when you are involved in a team you only focus on the year at the time, you can't be thinking of the past. Every All Ireland final has its own pressure. You have to perform to win. Cork are going to be confident of winning but they know they will have to earn it against a very good Tipp team. Pat Ryan will have it drilled into them to be ready for a huge battle, they have beaten Tipp twice this year, it's harder to keep beating the same team in the one year but I feel now is the time for this Cork team to win their first All Ireland in 20 years.
8. Who's your All-Ireland champions and why?
Cork. They are awesome. They have so much attacking threat. I think Tipp will cause them trouble at the back but Cork will have too much firepower. Cork also have a strong bench to help them finish off the job. The experience from last year will also stand to them. Liam Cahill has done a fantastic job to get Tipp back to a final but I think Cork are just too good at the moment. Pat Ryan has had a very difficult year personally, but I expect him to be an All-Ireland senior winning manager on Sunday evening.
TJ Ryan, former Limerick player and manager.
CENTRE STAGE: TJ Ryan pictured on stage at the special Dalo Live All-Ireland Final Preview event at the Sarsfields GAA Club in Glanmire. Picture Chani Anderson.
1. Are the country's best two teams contesting Sunday's final?
No. I know that allegations of bias will be thrown at me here. I felt all year that Cork and Limerick were the two best teams and you could argue who was No 1 and who was No 2. I thought Limerick were the best team in extra time in the Munster Final but didn't put Cork away. Knockout championship can sometimes produce a twist in the script and in fairness to Tipperary they were in the right place at the right time.
2. Who's your hurler of the year at this moment and why?
Brian Hayes. Quite simply, he is a game changer. His goalscoring and assist tallies all year read extremely well. For a corner forward to be that big, physical and powerful is unusual. His knockdowns have added a new dimension to the inside line.
3. Who's been the (young) breakout star of the Hurling Championship?
Sam O Farrell. What a season for the U20 star. It is very difficult in modern times for players U20 to break into the senior team. Sam has played in defence, midfield and the forwards for Tipperary seniors in 2025. His work rate, vision, energy and team play have been a huge plus for Liam Cahill. He also captained the U20 team to All-Ireland glory during the senior campaign.
4. What championship game has showcased modern hurling at its finest?
The Munster Final in the Gaelic Grounds. Had it all. Very tight contest, full house, extra time, injury to the ref, sideline shemozzle. Oh and a penalty shootout to finish things off. Drama at its best in this modern world.
5. If you could change one hurling rule, what would it be?
The football clock rule is growing on me. I think we have room for it and maybe long term it could take the timekeeping pressure away from the referee.
6. How do Tipperary counter Cork's lethal inside threat?
With great planning, concentration and help from out the field. The amount of quality ball being delivered in must be limited. Getting the matchups right will also be crucial. Learning from the league final and championship round robin will help. They conceded no goal to Kilkenny in the semi-final which will have given them a confidence boost.
7. Will pressure on Cork to deliver after a 20-year wait hang heavy over them?
No. They were beaten in the final last year with practically the same team and management. They know what to expect now. Internally, they have been under pressure all year and have delivered so far with two cups already on the table. They have prepared all year for this day.
8. Who's your All-Ireland champions and why?
Cork. They are perfectly poised to deliver their best performance of 2025. They had a brilliant league and then won the Munster Championship. They used their four-week break really well, had a straightforward semi-final win. Now it's time to complete the perfect year.
Brian Hogan, seven-time Kilkenny All-Ireland winner
TOP CAT: O'Loughlin Gaels manager Brian Hogan. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
1. Are the country's best two teams contesting Sunday's final?
Yes. You can make arguments that a side like Limerick could or should be there, but ultimately, every county has the same path to the final mapped out for them at the start of the year so these two counties are there on merit.
2. Who's your hurler of the year at this moment and why?
Brian Hayes. A cert if he produces a good display in a Cork win. His power, pace and confidence have brought a real edge to Cork's attack.
3. Who's been the breakout star of the Hurling Championship?
Darragh McCarthy. The two red cards aren't ideal, but you can forgive a lot at his age. What's most impressive is the selflessness in his play. Breakout forwards are usually all about going for their own score. This lad has the maturity to constantly look for the player in a better position.
4. What championship game has showcased modern hurling at its finest?
Not sure how you define 'modern hurling', but the best game this year for me was the Munster final. That evening's entertainment had it all.
5. If you could change one hurling rule, what would it be?
I'd leave the game alone. There's not a lot that needs fixing as far as I can see.
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6. How do Tipperary counter Cork's lethal inside threat?
If you can't stop the supply being delivered to inside forward line, at least slow it down. That demands very hard work out the field, in midfield and the half-forward line. Which Tipp players have been producing this year, in fairness. It's easier said than done but if ball is coming in without pressure, it will be impossible to survive.
7. Will pressure on Cork to deliver after a 20-year wait hang heavy over them?
I don't think It should play a role in this time's approach. All year, they seem to be embracing the expectation. Even the round robin flop against Limerick didn't appear to derail them at all. Last year's final defeat will stand to them too.
8. Who's your All-Ireland champions and why?
Cork. They have been the most consistent team all year with the most potent attack.
Ken Hogan, Tipperary two-time All-Ireland winner and selector
LAST MAN STANDING: Former Tipperary goalkeeper Ken Hogan. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
1. Are the country's best two teams contesting Sunday's final?
Without a doubt the best two teams are in the final and both contested the National League Final as well. The two most consistent teams in the country.
2. Who's your hurler of the year at this moment and why?
My Cork Hurler of the year is Brian Hayes, he has been unbelievably good and has the ability to light up the game when he is needed most. A class forward. My Tipperary Hurler of the year is Eoghan Connolly, absolutely outstanding this year, with the extra caveat of scoring sensational points at the most vital times right throughout this campaign. Winner takes all on Sunday.
3. Who's been the breakout star of the Hurling Championship?
I think to be fair to Dublin, Brian Hayes has had a brilliant year and he is my breakout star of the championship.
4. What championship game has showcased modern hurling at its finest?
It has to be the Munster Hurling Final. Breathtaking, nail biting, mistakes, plus extra time and penalties showing up the human frailties of the amateur player.
5. If you could change one hurling rule, what would it be?
I would like to see 2 points for a side line cut, considering it has been such a success outside the Arc in Gaelic Football.
6. How do Tipperary counter Cork's lethal inside threat?
This is the conundrum. We must get our matchups right, but then counter the brilliance of O'Mahony and Fitzgibbon in midfield, plus the twin axis of Dalton and Barrett. A big ask, game will be over at half time if we don't counter those threats. Can we afford to leave the big three Noel McGrath, Alan Tynan and Oísín O'Donoghue on the sidelines??
7. Will pressure on Cork to deliver after a 20-year wait hang heavy over them?
Certainly there will be pressure on Cork to deliver, particularly if things are tight at half time. Tipp have absolutely nothing to lose but we can't afford a shoot out. Huge hype in Cork is not helping their cause. All we ask of Tipp is a performance.
8. Who's your All-Ireland champions and why?
Considering the GAA in their wisdom have decided for the first time since COVID that there will be no extra time in the event of a draw, I am predicting a replay. Let the fun begin!
Noel Connors, former Waterford All-Star defender.
1. Are the country's best two teams contesting Sunday's final?
That's a tough one to start. Tipperary have probably been the most consistent team this year. With the exception of the Cork game when they had Darragh McCarthy sent off, their levels of performance have been steadily high. Losing to Limerick in the Gaelic Grounds was probably the kickstart that Cork needed. So boiling it down they are, yes.
2. Who's your hurler of the year at this moment and why?
Brian Hayes. The man is a machine and he wasn't too far off this form last year bar a couple of games. He had a poor enough game against Offaly and wasn't the best against Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter-final but there was a bug going through the camp at the time.
3. Who's been the breakout star of the Hurling Championship?
He's been threatening the last couple of seasons, Adam English. He's been the most influential at this age. You can talk about other young players like Darragh McCarthy but English has been the most influential. In a pivotal role in a very good team despite what happened this year, he was putting in big performances.
4. What championship game has showcased modern hurling at its finest?
I would honestly say the Munster final because it had everything – controversy, goals, hard hits. It was extremely tactical too and it had players lining out in positions you wouldn't normally associate them with like Darragh Fitzgibbon mirroring the defensive midfield position of William O'Donoghue and playing like an extra centre-back for the whole second half of that game, and Fitzgibbon probably did the better job of it.
5. If you could change one hurling rule, what would it be?
Maybe not changing a rule but introducing a rule so that technology can be used more. I don't think we're getting enough out of linesmen. The referee will get assistance from them but there are limits to what they can say despite the communication channels they have.
6. How do Tipperary counter Cork's lethal inside threat?
Get the ball to ground. They can't let the likes of Alan Connolly, Hoggie and Brian Hayes to dictate the aerial ball. The hardest thing for Tipperary is the long puck-out. I know Rhys Shelly can't hit it long but with Hayes around that D, Patrick Collins has a massive target man. It's hard to compete against him. If Tipp can compete with them in the air and upset the ball that is coming, it will go a long way to winning the match.
7. Will pressure on Cork to deliver after a 20 year wait hang heavy over them?
I don't think so because a lot of those lads have been successful at Fitzgibbon Cup and under-age levels. You often hear about having to lose one to win one and in this case that may just be true for Cork. You often hear about teams getting to the finals and it's the tunnel that kills them, the anticipation of what is to come. Cork won't have those issues.
8. Who's your All-Ireland champions and why?
Cork simply for the fact that they have been the second best team for the last four or five years. They were unlucky last year, have been the best team in 2025 and are ready to cap that.