Latest news with #MunsterGAAHurlingSeniorChampionship
Irish Examiner
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Jake Morris: 'The manner of some of the defeats last year wasn't acceptable'
When Liam Cahill spoke last month about he and the Tipperary players being 'embarrassed' at the county's All-Ireland minor final win over Kilkenny, it was eye-opening. As a 13-man Tipperary pulled off a famous extra-time win, what should have been a joyous day for anyone affiliated with the blue and gold was a bittersweet one for the members of the county's flagship group. For Cahill, Jake Morris and others, it exacerbated their sense of disappointment after failing to get out of the Munster SHC the previous month. 'I was down in Nowlan Park myself that day and there's no point in saying it, we were embarrassed walking around,' recalls Morris. 'Players are in the trenches. You have to go to work, you can't hide away. We were in the trenches after last year. We had to deal with it face on and take our constructive criticism and move on and look in the mirror. 'There was a lot of soul-searching done over the winter. A lot of hard looks in the mirror and seeing what can be done more. To be fair, lads have done it and so have the management team. They have come with us every way in this journey. 'It hasn't been pointed just at the players, they've taken on the flack as well and together as a unit, we've worked hard and we've got ourselves into this situation now where we're still alive in the championship and that's ultimately what we aim for.' Read More Jarlath Burns defends GAA's fixtures body in wake of Donegal criticism In those tigerish Tipperary teenagers, Morris took inspiration. Another All-Ireland final loss after the U20s fell to Offaly in Nowlan Park earlier that June would have been rough but the afterglow of the minors's achievement was lengthy. It was something of a turning point too, Morris concurs. 'It was in terms of looking at a team that fought on their backs together, a united team, a good battling Tipperary team, that never-say-die attitude. That's what was taken away that day. 'We never mind losing games and any of the boys there will tell you, you never mind losing a game as long as you've shown up and you've performed and you've fought on your back and you can come away together on the bus afterwards and you can look at each other. 'The manner of some of the (senior) defeats last year wasn't acceptable. That's where there was a bit of lessons taken from looking at 16 and 17-year-olds performing last year in Nowlan Park.' Morris isn't sure there was a similar seminal moment for the seniors this year even though they emerged from the province. 'I suppose getting to the league final was nice. Drawing against Limerick probably did plant the seed with a lot of Tipp supporters that, 'Ok these lads, they mean business, they're competitive again' but I don't think there was exactly one moment.' Jake Morris of Tipperary is tackled by Cian Galvin and David McInerney of Clare during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile. What's certain is the Tipperary supporters are back behind their team in strong numbers having been away for a while. 'It's massive,' says the Nenagh Éire Óg man. 'You're down the home straight of a match down in Ennis and in Semple Stadium the last day against Waterford and you hear the chanting going, 'Tipp, Tipp, Tipp' and you know that they're going to roar you out over the line. 'All Tipperary supporters are very fair, they just want to see a team that are battling hard and giving it their all and that's what we're doing this year and that's why they're getting behind us now, because it's a team that they can enjoy going to watch.' But Morris doesn't lose sight of the fact that it's about the wins. A fourth straight SHC victory in Limerick this Saturday and what would be a first in four SHC meetings against Galway will earn Tipperary a first appearance in Croke Park since their 2019 All-Ireland final success. 'If you're not winning games, the morale is down. We got a couple of pats on the backs for our second half performance against Cork, but a pat on the back is no good to us at that level. "It's a points business, so it's all about results and from here on in it's about results and performance and that's what we're going to be judged off.'
Extra.ie
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
'Why do people play?' - Limerick's Cian Lynch is no fan of penalty shootouts
Limerick's Cian Lynch is no fan of penalty shootouts. Certainly not after his team's hopes of a record seventh Munster hurling title in a row were dashed when they lost a final shoot-out to Cork last Saturday night. The two-time Hurler of the Year didn't want to take from Cork's achievement but he said yesterday he believes there should be a better way of deciding a match of such significance. 'Penalties… like, hurling is so instinctive. It's an art form, it's an expression. Why do people play it? It's because it's a 15-man game. It's a chance to have a man on the shoulder to support. 'But when it comes to penalties, other than the five guys and the goalie, I suppose you're helpless standing on the sideline watching. It's tough for guys, but it is what it is.' Cian Lynch of Limerick during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile Known as one of the most skilful players in the game, Lynch admitted he still wouldn't be known for his ability to strike a deadball. 'If you were asked to take one, I'm sure 100 per cent you'd do anything you can to help the team, But I wouldn't be someone that's known to stand over a free or a penalty, to be honest with you. 'But obviously our guys, the five Limerick lads, the same as Cork obviously and Nickie [Quaid], to step up, that takes some courage. 'After playing 70 to 90 minutes of hurling, to have it based on standing over a penalty, that is tough. That is some responsibility. But great credit to the guys.' 7 June 2025; Darragh Fitzgibbon of Cork is tackled by Michael Casey and William O'Donoghue of Limerick during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship final match between Limerick and Cork at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile Understandably, Lynch would have favoured a replay. Instead, Limerick now face a quarter-final against Dublin or Kildare. 'I suppose it's not for me to make a point or make a comment on what's the right thing to do but you'd love to have another crack at it. Any team would. 'But for us, it's just about accepting that that's in the past now. We unfortunately didn't win and Cork did.'
Extra.ie
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Ferocious Rebels figured out how to neutralise Treaty
In keeping with the martial tone of the evening's action, and with the treatment of the Munster Championship generally as an immortal battle between two great forces, Pat Ryan deployed the language of combat in the Gaelic Grounds. In this instance it was fitting, because Cork came to Limerick with a clear idea of how to win on Saturday night. The mortification of losing by 16 points to the champions earlier in the provincial campaign may have been a motivation, but no matter what had gone before, the way to defeat Limerick hadn't changed. Facing down their ferocious physical power was the challenge. Cork did that, aided by extraordinary refereeing that turned the first half into a free-for-all, but the determination not to take a backward step was the key plank in their approach. Cork's Shane Barrett and Brian Hayes celebrates. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie 'We didn't fight the last time we came up here and the lads worked really hard, we fought really, really hard,' said Ryan. 'It was vital that we represented the jersey properly and we did. 'From the throw-in, we were engaged. You have to put really, really good teams under pressure and you take your chances, whether you win or not.' Describing Cork as engaged was an eloquent use of words by Ryan. In truth, they were ferocious, turning every contest into the type of grappling tussle that Limerick have made their own. The Cork captain Shane Barrett leads his players behind the St Patrick's Pipe Band, from Tulla, during the parade before the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship final match between Limerick and Cork at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile In the 2000s, Brian Cody's vision for hurling was so forcefully implemented by his all-conquering team that it changed not only how the game was played, but how it was officiated, too. Limerick have taken that Cody template and supersized it over the past decade. Their halfback and half-forward lines are now manned by players who are fusions of power and skill. For most opponents, on most days, it's been an irresistible combination. It might have galled Ryan that in the round-robin meeting between the teams, Cork didn't even get to the point of making Limerick work. They were blown away from the first Limerick goal two minutes in that day, and any designs they had on turning the game into a physical showdown never got off the whiteboard. But it's certain that their tactics that day had physicality at their core. The difference on Saturday was that they never let Limerick build up a head of steam. Shane Barrett of Cork celebrates after his side's victory in the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship final match between Limerick and Cork at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile From the start, John Kiely's army were met on the front foot. It rattled them on the field but also on the sideline. Eyewitness accounts spoke of crackling tension, with the Limerick sideline in particular in a state of heightened animation. The stresses burst to the surface at half time as the Cork manager sought out Thomas Walsh, the match referee, only to find Kiely in his way. 'The game is so fast,' Ryan said afterwards. 'Thomas is a fantastic referee. We're fighting for calls. John Kiely's fighting for calls. That's just the nature of it. 'In fairness to the referees that are there at the moment, they're all doing their best. 'They're all trying to do it in a honourable and straight way. 'There were a couple of calls that went against us but I heard John shouting for plenty of scores that didn't go his way. That's just the game.' Cork celebrate winning in the dressing room. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie Equanimity is easily maintained when your team has won, but in the longer term, it's surely unsustainable to have marquee hurling matches become effectively ungoverned collisions between two teams. It's not the fault of any one official, either, but rather the inevitable end-product of a culture that has allowed physical power to become an unchecked factor in contests. That's not a concern for Pat Ryan or his players this morning. They have a month's wait for their All-Ireland semifinal, with Limerick obliged to play a quarter-final that will hardly long detain them. For Ryan and his players, meanwhile, there is one certainty: if they meet Limerick again this summer, which is more than a remote chance, they will know what's coming. And it will be fearsome.
Extra.ie
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Kilkenny boss claims Munster final conclusion was unfair
Kilkenny's reward for a sixth Leinster hurling title in a row is a likely semi-final with Limerick – but Derek Lyng felt sympathy for the vanquished Munster giants after what he felt was an unfair end to the game. Lyng's team overcame Galway in Croke Park on Sunday, winning by eight points in front of 37,503 spectators. A largely subdued affair was in complete contrast to the drama that played out in Limerick the night before, when Cork won on penalties after extra time. Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng reacts during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile The net result is a place in the quarter-finals for Limerick, and they will be unbackable favourites to win that, against one of Dublin and Kildare. That would set them against Lyng's men in the last four. And the victorious Kilkenny manager suggested that a fairer way of deciding the match would have been a replay. 'I think it's hard on players,' he said of the penalty shoot-out. 'I know we have a new system in place and we're kind of caught for time but I just think we're a bit too caught at the minute. 'It made for a great spectacle, but I think to be fair to players, the replay would have been more fair to them.' 7 June 2025; Cork captain Robert Downey lifts the Mick Mackey Cup after his side' victory in the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship final match between Limerick and Cork at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Limerick will be expected to put aside that disappointment and prevail not only against the winners of Dublin and Kildare, but also Kilkenny in a semi-final. And the tepid nature of much of yesterday's Leinster decider in contrast to the pyrotechnics in the Gaelic Grounds will do nothing to temper that belief. Lyng, though, was adamant that his players have been tested properly ahead of the expected challenge to come. 'I think it's probably taken for granted that we're going to go win these games, but a huge amount of work goes into it, particularly from the players,' he said. Walter Walsh in action for Kilkenny. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile 'We lost to Wexford, and against Dublin we would have been disappointed with a spell in that game as well, and likewise today, so, regardless of who we were playing, we know we're going to have to find another gear or two for the next day, and that's the reality of it.' Galway, meanwhile, look certain to face Tipperary in a last-eight tie with the Premier County facing Laois in a preliminary quarter-final before then. Micheál Donoghue denied that the job facing him on his return to Galway is bigger than anticipated after a desperately flat display in which his side went 36 minutes without a score from play. 19 August 2018; Galway manager Micheál Donoghue and Joe Canning of Galway following the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Galway and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Donoghue feels they are not as far behind the leading teams as many believe. 'No, I wouldn't say it's a bigger job,' he said. 'Obviously, the disappointment of today and I suppose the narrative will be that it's probably similar to previous years and previous teams. 'But look, we know what we have in the squad and we'll try and take the positives out of it as we move forward.'
Extra.ie
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Fan fury as Cork hurlers claim first Munster title in seven years
Munster hurling fans are up in arms after Cork claimed their first Munster title in seven years following a penalty shoot-out against six-in-a-row champions Limerick. The Treaty City hosted the Rebels at the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening, with the Cork side looking to redeem themselves after being beaten by Limerick just weeks previous. After 70 minutes of play finished on a draw, extra time was called, with the additional 20 minutes also proving incapable of separating the sides thanks to a last-second point from Charleville man Darragh Fitzgibbon. Darragh Fitzgibbon of Cork is tackled by Michael Casey and William O'Donoghue of Limerick during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship final match. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile After a 16-point beating last month, the Rebels were victorious, winning the shootout 3-2 to be crowned Munster Champions. Cork manager Pat Ryan admitted his side 'didn't fight the last time' but had 'worked [and] fought really hard.' 'It just took penalties to separate us and we're just delighted to get the trophy,' he said, 'We know that we're a really, really good team. Cork manager Pat Ryan admitted his side 'didn't fight the last time' but had 'worked [and] fought really hard.' Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile 'But it's the same with every other team, there's loads of good teams out there and it's all about the attitude you bring and whether you're going to fight.' The Glanmire native added that while he was missing a few lads, some substitutions throughout the game helped to 'freshen up the team.' The manager admitted that the Rebels hadn't been practicing penalties that much as a team, adding that the lads had likely practiced a lot individually. Thrilled to see Cork win tonight but I'd agree with @sportsdes It's almost sacrilegious to see the Munster Championship decided on a penalty shoot-out . Those are the cards we are dealt with a condensed inter-county season.#rebelsabu #MunsterFinal ⬇️ — Joe Seward (@JoeSeward1) June 7, 2025 Fans took to X to have their say on the nail-biting game, with many disappointed to see the game won on penalties. Sports broadcaster Des Cahill said: 'Does a tremendous final like this really have to be decided by penalties? Imagine the anticipation, the craic, and the buzz if we were looking forward to a replay! Replay deserved! Neither team should be loosing that way! There has to be a better way than peno! It's #Hurling for god sake! #GAA #MunsterFinal #Limerick #Cork — Julian (@mayojg74) June 7, 2025 'This is the price of the condensed season. Congrats to Cork & Limerick on providing a superb #MunsterFinal.' Another added: 'Thrilled to see Cork win tonight but I'd agree with @sportsdes It's almost sacrilegious to see the Munster Championship decided on a penalty shoot-out. Those are the cards we are dealt with a condensed inter-county season #rebelsabu #MunsterFinal.' Everyone giving out that penalties are not a good way to decide the #MunsterFinal Remember the GAA and supporters of the condensed season created this absurd mess — Fran Mallon (@FranMallon1) June 7, 2025 A third shared: 'Replay deserved! Neither team should be losing that way! There has to be a better way than a peno! It's #hurling for god sake.' A fourth pointed out: 'Everyone giving out that penalties are not a good way to decide the #MunsterFinal. 'Remember the GAA and supporters of the condensed season created this absurd mess.' There were also those who claimed that the referee was too lenient in the fixture, with some even suggesting that one team was favoured over another. However, it seems as though for every Cork fan who thought Limerick were getting preferential treatment, an equal amount felt the opposite was the case. Cork now advance to the All Ireland semi-finals while Limerick enter the quarter-final stages.
