Latest news with #HurleroftheYear
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Henry Shefflin picks Sunday Game Hurler of the Year but wants no accountability for selection of best 15
KILKENNY icon Henry Shefflin was given the responsibility to select the Sunday Game Hurler of The Year for 2025. Jake Morris was selected by 3 Nenagh Éire Óg's Jake Morris was selected as Hurler of the Year Credit: @THESUNDAYGAME 3 Seven Tipperary players were picked in the Sunday Game Team of the Year for 2025 Credit: @THEsundaygame 3 The former Galway manager played a big role in the Sunday Game awards Credit: @thesundaygame Shefflin was reluctant to be given the overall decision but went with the 26-year-old Tipperary wing-forward for the honour after Shefflin said: "Ronan Maher was obviously in that conversation, John McGrath was in that conversation and the third one we went for was obviously Jake (Morris). "Three Tipp lads, you talk about the recency bias like there would have been two Cork lads and Jake would have been in that earlier this morning. "And because of their performances in the All-Ireland final, both Ronan Maher and John McGrath jumped into that category of being hurlers of the year. They thoroughly deserved it the three of them. Read more on GAA "I will gladly say I think Jake Morris was in that conversation this morning and in the first half when Tipp weren't firing, he was still the one they looked to to bring them forward. "I thought he was brilliant. I think Jake has become selfless in his game the amount of link-up play he does, the amount of dummy runs he does. "He was a goal scorer up to now, he's now become a fulcrum of that Tipp team. He's the new Tipp team. We've spoken about the younger and older lads, he's in that middle category. "And he is the one I'm sure you've identified has serious potential for a number of years. But I think we've seen it, just like the Tipp team he's grown to a stature that he is our hurler of the year this year." Most read in GAA Hurling The Sunday Game Team of the Year was made up of seven of Rhys Shelly, Robert Doyle, Eoghan Connolly and Andrew Ormond joined their three teammates nominated for Hurler of the Year in the Team of the Year. Liam Cahill speaks to RTE after Tipperary GAA win All-Ireland final Brian Hayes, Seán O'Donoghue, Ciarán Joyce and Darragh Fitzgibbon made up the Cork contingent. Galway's Cathal Mannion was the only player not to reach the semi-finals to make the team. The 2015 All-Star played a major role in getting the Tribesmen into Dublin's Cian O'Sullivan earned a spot in the side thanks to an Huw Lawlor and Martin Keoghan of Kilkenny also got the nod from the Sunday Game panel. The Sunday Game panel struggled to put together their Team of the Year with a unanimous decision almost impossible. The panel understood it was a difficult task at it wasn't going to be perfect with Ursula Jacob accepting there is going to be backlash. The four-time All-Ireland winner with Wexford said: "You can't keep everyone happy, this is just our panel of opinions. I'm sure there will lots of aggro and text messages when we come off air but sure look." Shefflin wanted to take no responsibility for the Team of the Year selection despite taking the decision for Hurler of the Year into his hands. The 11-time All-Star joked: "I wish my vote got a stronger preference in our meeting. I was outside at a meeting for some of it."
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Player ratings as Cork fall asunder against rampant Tipp
In what was the biggest day in the Hurling calendar, a disastrous second half saw Cork's dreams of lifting Liam McCarthy shattered as the premier county emerged victorious. Took a risk in trying to take down a Jake Morris point attempt, and was punished. It could have gone short more when Tipperary set up with an extra man at the back. Stole forward for a point in the first half but couldn't pin down Darragh McCarthy. Niall O'Leary. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Won his share of physical battles early on with John McGrath, but picked up a soft enough yellow before half-time. Got caught on the wrong side of McGrath for the penalty, and his second yellow compounded Cork's woes. Took on the challenge of keeping tabs on Jason Forde and was solid throughout. Made a big catch to drive on his team just as Cork were in the ascendancy in the first half, but couldn't stamp his authority on the game. Made a strong run to set in motion Cork's goal. Caught up, though, by the pace and movement of the Tipperary half-forward line. Robert Downey. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile When Tipperary dropped a man back, looked tailor-made for a loose role for Cork. Just couldn't get hands on enough ball. Put his head in his hands when trying to play a crossfield ball, only to see it intercepted. Never imposed himself in the way he can. Looked dangerous on the front foot in first half and tried to carry the fight until the end. Never looked at ease. Won a big turnover in first half and nailed the free, but visibly dejected when replaced by Seamus Harnedy. Declan Dalton. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Took his goal with aplomb and looked, right then, like the game's decisive figure. Set the tone with the game's first score inside 12 seconds and showed his pace in adding another couple. Sacrificed after the red card. His point from play in the first half, off his back foot and heading away from goal, was class. Missed a free at the start of the second half and coughed up two fouls on Michael Breen. Never got a proper sniff. Robert Doyle did so well to curb his influence and limit Cork's hattrick man from the semi-final to a single point. Alan Connolly. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile Couldn't win clean ball, with Ronan Maher such an imposing man-marker. Fouled for the late penalty but Conor Lehane's shot was saved. Seamus Harnedy hit a wide not long after coming on, but worked hard and saw a goal attempt hit the crossbar. Damien Cahalane was blown for a frontal charge, Conor Lehane saw his penalty saved, while time was against Shane Kingston and Tommy O'Connell. Ryan has been a brilliant guiding force, but the nature of Cork's collapse will really hurt, and any changes have failed to stem the tide. Pat Ryan. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile Full-length dive to stop Conor Lehane's penalty provided perfect finish. Even took a short free and bombed over a point from play late on. A true captain's part. Went toe-to-toe with the front runner for Hurler of the Year in Brian Hayes and won the battle. Find of the year, an All-Star in waiting. The epitome of the modern defender in going from corner-back to tagging Alan Connolly and even scoring a point. Thundered into it as the game wore on. Could do nothing for the score that Horgan got in the first half and was so dynamic on restart. Michael Breen. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile So dangerous on the front foot, flashed a goal attempt just wide and bombed a trademark point. Looked a bit unsettled in more of a central role than he is used to but worked tirelessly. Named at midfield but when Tipperary were out of possession, he dropped to free up O'Mara. Effective in dropping as a plus one and screening the runs of Cork's inside line. Bryan O'Mara. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Just like the semi-final against Kilkenny, Stakelum showed his worth in the middle. Another of Tipperary's All-Ireland winning under 20 hurlers who has such a bright future. Can play anywhere across the middle third. Another vital part of a Tipperary half-forward line that unsettled Cork's half-back line. Does everything at a relentless pace. All dancing feet, he was a constant threat. Jake Morris. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile The ultimate tale of redemption. What character to bounce back from two summer sendings-off to put in a man-of-the-match display. Cork will claim a Seamus Darby-type nudge for the penalty, but this was a day when McGrath showed all his guile and goal-scoring instincts, scoring 2-2 and assisting in much more. Always looked dangerous and pinched two points from play. Jason Forde. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile The introduction of Seamus Kennedy and Alan Tynan gave Tipp a mix of energy and experience during the second half and Noel McGrath lifted the crowd and then rounded off the day's scoring. Darragh Stakelum and Oisin O'Donoghue both helped to keep Tipperary rolling to the final whistle. Saw how Cork hit seven goals against Dublin and set up superbly in a tactical sense. Nearly all the key match-ups worked. From bottom of Munster last year to All-Ireland champions – it's been a remarkable rebuild.
The Journal
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Journal
Tipperary's Jake Morris gets top honour in the Sunday Game panel's Team of the Year
NEWLY-CROWNED ALL-IRELAND champions Tipperary lead the way with seven representatives on The Sunday Game's Hurling Team of the Year, including the RTÉ panel's Hurler of the Year, Jake Morris. The Premier lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup for the first time since 2019 this evening, after a sensational second-half surge saw them beat Cork 3-27 to 1-18. Runners-up Cork have four representatives on the team, while fellow provincial champions Kilkenny see two players selected. Dublin and Galway have one apiece. The Hurling Team of the Year is always sure to stoke some debate. What do you think of the 15 our panel - first argued over - and then settled on? #RTEgaa — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 20, 2025 Morris got the Hurler of the Year nod, with Ronan Maher and John McGrath the panel's other nominees. The Nenagh Éire Óg half forward clipped over two points this evening as he brought the curtain down on a memorable 2025. 'Jake Morris had a brilliant year,' said Kilkenny legend Henry Shefflin. 'Up top, he's been the spiritual leader for Tipp. When they look to someone to do something big, he's the man to turn to. 'I think Jake was in the conversation [for Hurler of the Year] this morning, and in the first half when Tipp weren't firing, he was still the one that looked to bring them forward. I thought he was brilliant.' 'I think Jake has become selfless in his game,' the former Galway manager continued. 'The amount of link-up play he does, the amount of dummy runs he does. He was a goalscorer up to now; he's now become a fulcrum of that Tipp team. 'And he's the new Tipp team. . . we spoke about the older and the younger lads, but he's in that middle category. We've identified he has serious potential for a number of years but I think we've seen, just like the Tipp team, he has grown to a stature that he is our Hurler of the Year.' Advertisement Dónal Óg Cusack, Joe Canning, Jackie Tyrrell, Ursula Jacob and Brendan Cummins joined Canning on The Sunday Game panel tonight. Tipperary's Jake Morris is The Sunday Game Hurler of the Year. Henry Shefflin explains how the Nenagh man stood out above the rest in 2025. #RTEgaa — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 20, 2025 The Sunday Game Hurling Team of the Year 2025 1. Rhys Shelly (Tipperary) 2. Robert Doyle (Tipperary), 3. Huw Lawlor (Kilkenny), 4. Seán O'Donoghue (Cork) 5. Eoghan Connolly (Tipperary), 6. Ronan Maher (Tipperary), 7. Ciarán Joyce (Cork) 8. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Cork), 9. Cathal Mannion (Galway) 10. Jake Morris (Tipperary), 11. Andrew Ormond (Tipperary), 12. Cian O'Sullivan (Dublin) 13. Martin Keoghan (Kilkenny), 14. John McGrath (Tipperary), 15. Brian Hayes (Cork). Hurler of the Year: Jake Morris. ***** Check out the latest episode of The42′s GAA Weekly podcast here Written by Emma Duffy and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Tipperary ratings: Darragh McCarthy and John McGrath supreme on dream day
Tipperary are All-Ireland senior hurling champions for the first time since 2019 after a stunning win against Cork. Here's how we rated the Premier County players. TIPPERARY Rhys Shelly - 8 To think this was Tipperary's second-choice goalkeeper at the start of the Championship. Mixed up his puck-outs nicely and got 22 of his 29 away. Couldn't have done much about the Cork goal and enjoyed a thunderous second-half performance, scoring a point from play and saving a penalty. Steady under a series of dangerous high balls too. Robert Doyle - 7.5 Enjoyed the freedom of Croke Park for one score late in the first half. His principal task was to pick up Alan Connolly and he held the goal-poacher supreme to just a point from play. Excellent overall in just his eighth Championship game. 7.5 Eoghan Connolly - 7.5 Wore number three but started on the wing and picked up Diarmuid Healy, who had a strong first-half. Offered plenty going forward, scoring his 14th point of the campaign, taking a shot that went just wide and feeding John McGrath for Tipp's third goal. Michael Breen - 8 Exceptional in the second half as Tipp turned the screw. When he won a 47th-minute free and punched the air, it summed up both his and the team's attitude. Held Patrick Horgan to a point from play and picked up his third All-Ireland winner's medal at the end of a season in which he started every game. Craig Morgan - 6 Had his hands full on Shane Barrett, Cork's best performer overall. Barrett streaked past Morgan for a 10th minute point, an early indicator of what was to come. Ended up as Tipp's sweeper for a spell in the second-half, replacing Bryan O'Mara there. Eventually replaced with 15 minutes to go. Ronan Maher - 8 Got the job of marking Brian Hayes, the pre-match Hurler of the Year favourite. The Tipp captain fouled Hayes for a free that was converted and a late penalty that wasn't. Hayes scored just a point from play overall and faded out of the game as Maher helped power Tipp on to a famous win. Bryan O'Mara - 7.5 Handed the task of sweeping between the two defensive lines for Tipperary. The number seven helped lock down a mean defence and just got there moments too late to stop Shane Barrett getting his shot away for the Cork goal. Came off with an apparent injury. Willie Connors - 8 Wore number eight but dropped to wing-back to accommodate Bryan O'Mara operating as a sweeper. Picked up Declan Dalton who was the first Cork player substituted. Shot a silly wide late in the first half when Tipp were taking on water but was brilliant in the second-half. Conor Stakelum - 7.5 Played his part in a landmark with a trojan performance in the middle. Chased down Tim O'Mahony, pinched a point and got through plenty of work before being replaced late on. Jake Morris - 7.5 Won a free in the 43rd minute, which was converted, and begged the crowd to raise the decibel levels even further. A player who loves the big occasion and helped himself to two points. Only came on as a sub in the 2019 final win but was a key performer this time, despite three first-half wides. Andrew Ormond - 8 Struck back-to-back points at the start of the second-half which got Tipperary going and indicated their appetite for destruction. Drew a foul off Mark Coleman which led to a point and stepped up impressively on the big occasion. Sam O'Farrell - 7 On just his eighth Championship appearance, the Nenagh man oozed quality, like his sumptuous pass over the top for Eoghan Connolly's goal chance. Nominally Tipp's number 12 but lined out at midfield next to Conor Stakelum. Set up Jake Morris for the opening point and two more in the third quarter as Tipp got on top. Darragh McCarthy - 9 What a performance from the Toomevara phenom. 1-13 on All-Ireland final day speaks for itself but it was the nerveless display that really stood out. He was jeered for his elaborate, and perhaps laboured, free-taking routine but wasn't rattled and only drilled a single wide all day. Nailed the penalty superbly when it would have been easy to take the point. John McGrath - 9 Picked a fine time to score his 21st and 22nd Championship goals. Aside from the 2-02 he stuck away, McGrath also won the penalty that Darragh McCarthy converted, hauled to the ground by Eoin Downey who was sent off on a second yellow card. The second half, when he scored 2-01, was probably his greatest 35 minutes in a Tipp shirt. Jason Forde - 7 Had Sean O'Donoghue for company in a head-to-head that lasted the duration. Wasn't on the frees despite a strong semi-final display against Kilkenny but still escaped his man for two points. Drew an important free off O'Donoghue that led to a first-half point too. Substitutes Seamus Kennedy - 6.5 The first man in, for Bryan O'Mara. Spread it around well when he gained possession. Alan Tynan - 7 Brought even more power and purpose to the Tipp attack when introduced. Noel McGrath - 7 What a day for the veteran attacker who picked up his fourth All-Ireland medal. Scored the last point and held his arms aloft in celebration. Possibly his last act for Tipp. Darragh Stakelum - no rating Got the last five minutes. Registered a wide. Oisin O'Donoghue - no rating Not on long enough to grab a fourth goal of the Championship.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Tipperary v Cork player ratings: John McGrath enjoys probably his greatest half in a Tipp jersey
TIPPERARY Rhys Shelly Mixed up his puck-outs nicely and got 22 of his 29 away overall. Couldn't have done much about the Cork goal and enjoyed a thunderous second-half performance, scoring a point from play - a rare achievement for a goalkeeper in an All-Ireland decider - and saving a penalty. 8 Robert Doyle Enjoyed the freedom of Croke Park for one score late in the first-half. His principal task was to pick up Alan Connolly and he held the goal poacher supreme to just a point from play. Excellent overall in just his eighth Championship game. 7.5 Eoghan Connolly Wore number three but started on the wing and picked up Diarmuid Healy, who had a strong first-half. Offered plenty going forward, scoring his 14th point of the campaign, taking a shot that went just wide and feeding John McGrath for Tipp's third goal. 7.5 Michael Breen Exceptional in the second-half as Tipp turned the screw. When he won a 47th minute free and punched the air, it summed up both his and the team's attitude. Held Patrick Horgan to a point from play and picked up his third All-Ireland winner's medal at the end of a season in which he started every game. 8 Read More Craig Morgan Had his hands full on Shane Barrett, Cork's best performer overall. Barrett streaked past Morgan for a 10th minute point, an early indicator of what was to come. Ended up as Tipp's sweeper for a spell in the second-half, replacing Bryan O'Mara there. Eventually replaced with 15 minutes to go. 6 Ronan Maher Got the job of marking Brian Hayes, the pre-match Hurler of the Year favourite. The Tipp captain fouled Hayes for a free that was converted and a late penalty that wasn't. Hayes scored just a point from play overall and faded out of the game as Maher helped power Tipp on to a famous win. 8 Bryan O'Mara Handed the task of sweeping between the two defensive lines for Tipperary. The number seven helped lock down a mean defence and just got there moments too late to stop Shane Barrett getting his shot away for the Cork goal. 7 Willie Connors Wore number eight but dropped to wing-back to accommodate Bryan O'Mara operating as a sweeper. Picked up Declan Dalton who was the first Cork player substituted. Shot a silly wide late in the first-half when Tipp were taking on water but was brilliant in the second-half. 8 Conor Stakelum Played his part in a landmark with a Trojan performance in the middle. Chased down Tim O'Mahony, pinche a point and got through plenty of work before being replaced late on. 7 Jake Morris Won a free in the 43rd minute, which was converted, and begged the crowd to raise the decibel levels even further. A player who loves the big occasion and helped himself to two points. Only came on as a sub in the 2019 final win but was a key performer this time. 7.5 Andrew Ormond Struck back-to-back points at the start of the second-half which got Tipperary going and indicated their appetite for destruction. Drew a foul off Mark Coleman which led to a point and stepped up impressively on the big occasion. 7.5 Sam O'Farrell On just his eighth Championship appearance, the Nenagh man oozed quality, like his sumptuous pass over the tap for Eoghan Connolly's goal chance. Nominally Tipp's number 12 but lined out at midfield next to Conor Stakelum. Set up Jake Morris for the opening point and two more in the third quarter as Tipp got on top. 7 Darragh McCarthy What a performance from the Toomevara phenom. 1-13 on All-Ireland final day speaks for itself but it was the nerveless display that really stood out. He was jeered for his elaborate, and perhaps laboured, free-taking routine but wasn't rattled and only drilled a single wide all day. Nailed the penalty superbly when it would have been easy to take the point. 9 Read More John McGrath Picked a fine time to score his 21st and 22nd Championship goals. Aside from the 2-2 he stuck away, McGrath also won the penalty that Darragh McCarthy converted, hauled to the ground by Eoin Downey who was sent off on a second yellow card. The second-half, when he scored 2-1, was probably his greatest 35 minutes in a Tipp shirt. 9 Jason Forde Had Sean O'Donoghue for company in a head-to-head that lasted the duration. Wasn't on the frees despite a strong semi-final display against Kilkenny but still escaped his man for two points. Drew an important free off O'Donoghue that led to a first-half point too. 7 The Bench Seamus Kennedy was the first man in, for Bryan O'Mara. Spread it around well when he gained possession (6.5). Alan Tynan brought even more power and purpose to the Tipp attack when introduced (7). Noel McGrath. What a day for the veteran attacker who picked up his fourth All-Ireland medal. Scored the last point and held his arms aloft in celebration. Possibly his last act for Tipp (7). Darragh Stakelum got the last five minutes. Registered a wide. Oisin O'Donoghue wasn't on long enough to grab a fourth goal of the Championship. CORK Patrick Collins Found it difficult to get puckouts away due to Tipp going with a sweeper. Three goals got past him and while he can't be blamed for them all, he will be disappointed with the first one after he got his hurley to the sliotar going over the bar but failed to control it and couldn't stop John McGrath's finish. 5.5 Niall O'Leary Picked up Darragh McCarthy from the off. Put in one great block on his run at goal early in the second half but like the rest or the full-back line he found it difficult to contain the young talent whose precocious free-taking and penalty strike was a Tipp joy to behold. 5.5 Eoin Downey Received a yellow card late in the first half. And got a second yellow midway through the second half when he fouled John McGrath again, this time for the 55th minute penalty which McCarthy finished with such finesse. 5 Seán O'Donoghue Was the last man standing alongside Patrick Collins when John McGrath scored his second goal but was helpless to prevent a sensational finish in the 60th minute - that put Tipp 3-22 to 1-17 up. Worked hard all through while shadowing Jason Forde. 7 Ciarán Joyce Another who worked tirelessly while marking Jake Morris. The Tipp forward finished with two points. The numerical disadvantage didn't help Cork's situation in the second half. 6.5 Robert Downey Conceded a pair of points to Andrew Ormond. The Cork captain did provide leadership but a yellow card in the third quarter put him under pressure. Like the rest of the backline, he was struggling when they went down to 14 men. 6.5 Mark Coleman Was involved in Cork's green flag with one of his usual runs out of defence. That score set them up for a hefty 1-16 to 0-13 interval lead, only for Tipp to come with an all-guns blazing second half. 6.5 Tim O'Mahony Wasn't able to navigate his usual running surges from deep in midfield due to a crowded house. And was forced to make wrong choices then under pressure. The fifth Cork player replaced with regulation almost up. 5.5 Darragh Fitzgibbon Nailed a pair of points in the first half. Hawkeye ruled out another effort on the home stretch. Just as it was for his midfield colleague O'Mahony, he couldn't get going in the second half. 6 Diarmuid Healy Scored Cork's first point after a mere 12 seconds, and scored two more in the first half. Set up Niall O'Leary for his white flag and was fouled for a Horgan converted free. After Eoin Downey's sending off he was replaced by defender Damien Cahalane. A mere two second-half white flags for the Rebels tells the real story of the Cork forward line. 6.5 Shane Barrett Great first-half scoring 1-3. His goal in stoppage - the only real chance that came Cork's way in the first half — was finished to the far bottom corner with his usual confident touch. A tonic score and what should have been a blow to Tipperary, who minutes earlier had a goal ruled out for a square ball. 7.5 Declan Dalton Had a quiet game by his high standards. Didn't score from play. Involved in an altercation in the tunnel at half time with an official for which he received a yellow card from Liam Gordon when he returned to the field of play. Made way for Séamus Harnedy in the 43rd minute. 5 Patrick Horgan Scored four points - all in the first half - three from placed balls. Was the third substitution management made with Conor Lehane replacing him 12 minutes from time. In his 18th season, the wait goes on for that elusive medal. 5 Alan Connolly Did score a first-half point but couldn't replicate the heroics he displayed in the semi-final against Dublin when he grabbed a hat-trick of goals. Was the fourth Cork forward to be replaced in the 62nd minute. 5 Brian Hayes Has been involved in so many goals and set so many up this season. But couldn't get on enough ball this time mainly due to the supremacy of Tipp captain Ronan Maher. Fought to the bitter end but could only muster one point from play. Was fouled for a penalty at the death which Rhys Shelly saved from Conor Lehane. 5 The Bench Séamus Harnedy was the first Cork sub and scored a point and hit the crossbar with another thundering shot (6.5). Damien Cahalane was introduced when Eoin Downey was sent off and while he gave away an immediate free, did well (6). Conor Lehane had a penalty brilliantly saved by Rhys Shelly (5). Shane Kingston (5) and Tommy O'Connell (5).
