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Irish Times
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Darragh McCarthy ends rollercoaster summer with ascent to Tipperary greatness
Right at the very end, vindication. On hurling's biggest day Darragh McCarthy met the moment, right on the sweet spot of his bas. Red-carded in the opening seconds when these sides met in the Munster SHC at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in April and sent for an early shower on two yellow cards in the All-Ireland semi-final against Kilkenny, there was much focus on McCarthy's temperament in advance of this final. But on a day when so many prematch storylines got jumbled and tossed to the garbage heap of hurling history, the 19-year-old in his maiden season at this level chiselled his name in the annals, his rollercoaster summer ending on an ascent to greatness. In the future, they'll talk about this day. As McCarthy stood over a free close to his own 65-metre line and with just two minutes of normal time remaining, the chant started to go up around Croke Park, starting slowly and building towards a crescendo: 'Tipp, Tipp, Tipp.' READ MORE McCarthy unhurriedly went through his routine. He tossed a clump of grass to the wind to check its direction, stepped back, crouched down almost on his hunkers, moved forward again, lift, strike, point. It was his 12th of the afternoon. He would finish the game with 1-13 (1-9 from placed balls). As he struck that free, Patrick Horgan was already sitting on the sideline, his back heavy against the advertising hoardings, his white helmet idling on the ground close by. This was supposed to be Horgan's coronation day. [ Tipperary player ratings: Darragh McCarthy shines on famous day at Croke Park Opens in new window ] Horgan has been 18 seasons down the mine now searching for an All-Ireland medal. He made his championship debut three years after McCarthy was born. At 37, it's hard to know if the top scorer in championship history will have the appetite to continue the dig again next year. Horgan's story of triumphant defiance instead became McCarthy's day of redemption. Hurling can be at once both beautiful and wicked. 'To win finals you need big moments and big players,' said Tipp defender Michael Breen. 'Darragh is on the field every day for hours on frees and that's no exaggeration.' Tipperary's Craig Morgan, Jake Morris and Darragh McCarthy celebrate after the game. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho For all his superb shooting though, McCarthy's willingness to empty himself for the cause epitomised Tipp's second-half comeback. Just before the hour-mark, and with Cork sinking, McCarthy stood big and strong as Damien Cahalane stampeded out with possession. The inevitable collision was clearly going to hurt. The Cork defender had all the momentum but McCarthy had all the daring. He planted his feet and prepared for the impact. Bang. Cahalane got blown for charging, McCarthy fired over the resulting free and Cork were no longer taking on water, their battered hull was already resting on the sea floor. Shortly after the final whistle McCarthy was ushered over to the RTÉ cameras and asked about overcoming his two disciplinary flashpoints in this year's championship. 'It's all a mind game really, if you let it get to you then you are going to be curled up in a ball at home in bed,' he replied. 'I went in for a few chats with Cathal Sheridan [team psychologist] to try and sort the head out. I had to steel the mind and just forget about it. [ The anatomy of a collapse – how Cork managed to lose the second half by 3-14 to 0-2 Opens in new window ] 'But even after the first sending-off against Cork, I'd say the 40 men on the panel texted me the day after. Jake [Morris] got in touch with me the following morning, 'Do you want to meet up for a coffee?' They are all so good.' His wonderfully-executed penalty defied the narrative of a player operating with pressure on his shoulders. McCarthy admitted afterwards that Jason Forde had made efforts to take it but the teenager wasn't for budging. 'Jason was going to have a go, I was like, 'No, this one is mine, Jason'.' For Cahill and his management team, McCarthy's tour de force in this All-Ireland final was also vindication for their belief and faith in the young hurling prodigy. Tipperary's Darragh McCarthy takes on Cork's Niall O'Leary. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho 'That's the class of the man. We produce legendary players like Jason Forde and Eoin Kelly and Séamus Callanan and all these,' said Cahill. 'And you'd say where are you going to find the next one? And suddenly up pops McCarthy, 19 years of age – he's now arrived on the scene. 'He's from a serious club up there in Toomevara – them fellas up there would eat you alive. So, there was never going to be a case of Darragh's character being questioned or he doubting himself. 'That's the resilience he has. And he just loves his hurling. And when you love hurling like that, you get your rewards – and he got his just rewards today and I'm really happy for him.' [ Tipperary's cannonball run delivers greatest of all prizes Opens in new window ] One of the images of the summer was Noel McGrath rushing from the Tipp dugout to comfort McCarthy as he made his way off the pitch after his early sending off against Cork in April. Fittingly, the last score of Sunday's All-Ireland final was whipped over by McGrath – after taking a neat pass from McCarthy. The rising star to the established icon. 'No better man to pass to than Noel,' smiled McCarthy. 'He thanked me after but I was nearly thanking him, no need to thank me.' Tipperary will thank them both.
Irish Daily Mirror
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Cork and Tipperary stars clash at half-time as player struck by object
Tempers flared as the Cork and Tipperary players left the pitch at half-time in Sunday's All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final. The Rebels scored a goal right before half-time as Shane Barrett found the back of the net, but things boiled over afterwards as Cork forward Patrick Horgan clashed with Tipp goalkeeper Rhys Shelly. Referee Liam Gordon did speak to his umpires, who were well placed to see the incident, but decided to take no further action against the players. However, Tipperary's Willie Connors and Declan Dalton of Cork appeared to have words with each other as they went down the tunnel, with a bottle thrown from above hitting Dalton's helmet. Things seemed to be calmed down fairly quickly as players and staff from both sides stepped in. Cork led their Munster rivals by 1-16 to 0-13 at the break, with the Rebels aiming to end a 20-year wait for All-Ireland glory.
Irish Daily Mirror
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Cork v Tipperary live score updates from the All-Ireland hurling final
All-Ireland SHC final: Clare 3-29 Cork 1-34 AET It took 90 minutes of non-stop action to separate Clare and Cork in what has already been dubbed one of the greatest games of hurling ever seen. In the end, it was a point from substitute Shane Meehan that ensured that the Liam MacCarthy would be heading to the Banner county for the first time since 2013. Clare defeated Cork that season after a replay and it seemed written in the stars that this game would be replayed in a fortnight's time. After Meehan's point put Clare three ahead in stoppage-time, a brace of scores from Patrick Horgan left the fate of the final in the hands of Johnny Murphy. The Limerick referee allowed Cork one final chance and substitute Robbie O'Flynn had a golden opportunity to force a replay. However, in the final twist of a gripping decider, he pulled his shot wide of the posts at the Hill 16 end. The red and white jerseys of Cork fell to their knees while the yellow and blue of the Banner rejoiced as Murphy's full-time whistle brought the contest to its conclusion. For the Rebels, their drought now extends to a 20th season - the longest in their history. If ever there was a game when neither side deserved to lose, this was it. The Rebels enjoyed the better of proceedings in the early stages and led by three on two occasions in the first quarter. Brian Hayes, Tim O'Mahony and Seamus Harnedy were on target from play while Patrick Horgan was unerring from frees. Worryingly from a Clare perspective both Conor Cleary and Adam Hogan picked up early bookings. Things went from bad to worse for Brian Lohan's men when Robert Downey surged through unchecked to fire the game's opening goal. Aidan McCarthy converted a free to settle Clare back into the game and a bit of brilliance from Shane O'Donnell had them back in contention. Murphy played advantage for a foul on Peter Duggan and O'Donnell burst through the Cork challenges to set up McCarthy for a superb goal. Clare fought back to level the game, 1-12 each at half-time. The second half was a reversal of the first with Cork needing a late comeback to force extra-time. O'Mahony's second point had briefly given Cork the lead after the opening four scores were split evenly but Clare struck for their second goal via Mark Rodgers. Cork fought back to level the game once again before Banner skipper Tony Kelly plundered a stunning goal. Cutting inside two Cork defenders, Kelly beat Patrick Collins with a deft finish before Horgan replied for Cork. However, a brilliant sideline cut from Peter Duggan put Clare three ahead. Yet again, Cork fought back. Horgan, Eoin Downey and the impressive Harnedy with his fourth made it a draw game, 3-16 to 1-22 with a little over 10 minutes remaining. Back came Clare with a hat-trick of points, but they couldn't quite close the game out as Darragh Fitzgibbon and a brace of Horgan frees had the sides level. Kelly looked to have sealed the game once more, before Horgan forced extra-time from another free. As the players took time to draw breath, some fans had to be called back into the stadium as it appears not everyone was aware that extra-time would be played before a potential replay. A further 10 minutes failed to separate the teams, with the scoreboard reading 3-25 to 1-31. The next 10 minutes might well go down as the most dramatic in the history of the famous game. Tony Kelly, Aidan McCarthy and Shane Meehan landed a rally of points that should have put the game beyond doubt. Two Horgan points cut the gap to two with time all but up. However, Murphy allowed Pat Ryan's side one final play to salvage a replay. A free from Patrick Collins dropped into the danger area and was plucked from the sky by O'Flynn. He turned to shoot and appeared to have his jersey held by Conor Leen. The free wasn't given and his shot flew wide of the posts. It proved to be the final act of a pulsating final. Clare are All-Ireland champions for 2024, but Cork deserve equal plaudits for their part in a game for the ages. Clare captain Tony Kelly lifts the Liam MacCarthy Cup after the 2024 All-Ireland final (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne) Clare scorers: Aidan McCarthy 1-7 (0-3fs, 0-1 65, Tony Kelly 1-4, Mark Rodgers 1-3, Diarmuid Ryan 0-3, David Fitzgerald 0-3, Shane O'Donnell 0-2, David Reidy 0-2, Peter Duggan 0-2 (0-1 sl), Ryan Taylor 0-1, Ian Galvin 0-1, Shane Meehan 0-1. Cork scorers: Patrick Horgan 0-12 (0-10fs), Seamus Harnedy 0-4, Robert Downey 1-0, Mark Coleman 0-3, Tim O'Mahony 0-3, Shane Barrett 0-2, Brian Hayes 0-2, Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-2 Shane Kingston 0-2, Robbie O'Flynn 0-1, Eoin Downey 0-1, Ciaran Joyce 0-1, Alan Connolly 0-1.
Extra.ie
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
The Rebels are the favourites for good reason as All-Ireland count-down draws to a close
Unfortunately for Patrick Horgan, sport doesn't do sentiment. Otherwise, he would have won that elusive Celtic Cross by now. It just jars that a player of his talent, longevity, and technical ability – the 37-year-old's senior involvement with the Rebels dates back to 2008 – has no All-Ireland medal to his name. At least not yet. Especially when you think that he has long since passed out, Christy Ring, one of the true titans of the game, as Cork's top Championship scorer. He also remains just out in front of another of the game's 30-something figureheads in Kilkenny's TJ Reid as hurling's all-time top Championship scorer. Patrick Horgan. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile It's testament to Horgan's love for the game that he remains part of the most vaunted inside line trio in inter-county hurling right now. Alan Connolly scooped the official Man of the Match award after the semi-final against Dublin. And it's hard to begrudge a player who scores a hat-trick in such a high-stakes game the honour. But to this eye, Brian Hayes was the best Cork attacker on the pitch—the touchstone for the team's attacking ambitions. Alan Connolly. Pic: ©INPHO/Leah Scholes It's his target-man presence that the other two feed off. What makes him so hard to mark is that he often doesn't even attempt to catch the ball. Instead, he has the height and then the added reach with those long arms to stun or deflect the ball into a teammate who is invariably coming at full tilt. One example from early in the semi-final, where he tilted the hurley at an angle so the ball would slide off to a runner, was sublime. And yet, again to this eye, Tim O'Mahony was the stand-out Cork player in the semi-final. The forward line benefited so much from his ability to drift into a pocket of space and pick up a puck-out or a defensive pass and send a long first-time delivery into the attack. Tim O'Mahony. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile One no-look switch pass in the second half just opened up Dublin completely. Thundering through for a couple of goals shows the threat that Tipperary have to manage, before they start with O'Mahony's midfield partner, Darragh Fitzgibbon, who is just hitting peak form at the right time. Willie Connors and Conor Stakelum, in particular, did very well at times against Kilkenny and Tipperary, with Alan Tynan to come in and Sam O'Farrell, who is so comfortable working across the entire middle third from wing-forward, where he is named. And Tipperary will learn so much from how Cork opened up Dublin. The latter's full-back line were left badly exposed by a halfback line who got suckered into following their men – the wandering Diarmuid Healy, Shane Barrett and Declan Dalton – out to midfield. At times, there was 40 or 50 metres of space for Cork to play the ball in front o f their inside line. Cork vs Tipperary. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile It's hard to see Liam Cahill allowing a similar situation to unfold. The likes of O'Farrell is a natural wing-back and will no doubt be working up and down the channels to squeeze the space. Ronan Maher has the physical attributes to go to war with Brian Hayes, and Tipperary will be loath to shift Eoghan Connolly out of six after he was so solid defensively against Kilkenny and even stole forward to launch three quality points. Connolly is equally comfortable in the full-back line, though, and Michael Breen has the legs for Alan Connolly if Tipperary want to go that way. So the match-ups when the ball is thrown in will be fascinating. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile And that's the thing. So many more questions surround how Tipperary will handle different elements of this Cork team. Cork are bidding to end a 20-year wait without an All-Ireland win, having last won in 2005. Their previous longest gap was 16 years between 1903 and 1919. It's easy to forget that while Cork are league and Munster champions and go in search of a clean sweep of major honours this year, Tipperary have the All-Ireland medal winners within the respective squads. Ronan Maher. Michael Breen. The McGrath brothers. Jason Forde. Jake Morris. Willie Connors. When you think back to 2013 and that All-Ireland final against Clare, it was Horgan's stunning point – all wrists in a tight space – that looked like it was destined to win the decider by a point. Manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy could be spotted in the embrace of his management team as the final whistle looked set to blow. What nobody expected was Clare corner-back Domhnall O'Donovan to steal up and pop an equaliser and force a replay. JBM is actually part of the BBC punditry panel for this afternoon's live coverage, having done a podcast with Thomas Niblock and the GAA Social earlier this summer. He won't be stuck for words. The Munster champions are favourites for a reason. The 20-year wait to feel worth it in the end.
Irish Examiner
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Cork v Tipperary: Everything you need to about the All-Ireland hurling final
All-Ireland SHC final: Cork v Tipperary, Croke Park, 3.30pm (L. Gordon, Galway) Live RTÉ2, BBC2 Cork, who last won the All-Ireland in 2005, are bidding for their 31st title, while Tipperary, who were last successful in 2019, are seeking their 29th title. Kilkenny lead the way with 36 titles. HOW THEY GOT THERE CORK (Won 4, Drew 1, Lost 1) Munster SHC round-robin: Clare 3-21 Cork 2-24, Cork 4-27 Tipperary 0-24, Limerick 3-26 Cork 1-16, Cork 2-25 Waterford 1-22. Munster SHC final: Cork 1-30 Limerick 2-27 (after extra time, Cork won 3-2 on pens) All-Ireland SHC semi-final: Cork 7-26 Dublin 2-21 Top scorers: Patrick Horgan 3-50 (1-38 frees, 0-1 '65'); Brian Hayes 5-8; Alan Connolly 4-9; Declan Dalton 1-12 (0-4 frees); Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-14 (0-2 frees, 0-1 '65') TIPPERARY (Won 5, Drew 1, Lost 1) Munster SHC round-robin: Tipperary 2-23 Limerick 2-23, Cork 4-27 Tipperary 0-24, Tipperary 4-18 Clare 2-21, Tipperary 1-30 Waterford 1-21. All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarter-final: Tipperary 3-32 Laois 0-18 All-Ireland SHC quarter-final: Tipperary 1-28 Galway 2-17 All-Ireland SHC semi-final: Tipperary 4-20 Kilkenny 0-30 Top scorers Jason Forde 3-43 (0-25 frees, 0-4 s/l, 1 '65'); Darragh McCarthy 1-33 (0-27 frees, 1 '65'); John McGrath 5-14; Jake Morris 0-22; Andrew Ormond 2-13. Last five Championship clashes Munster SHC 2025: Cork 4-27 Tipperary 0-24 Munster SHC 2024: Cork 4-30 Tipperary 1-21 Munster SHC 2023: Cork 4-19 Tipperary 2-25 Munster SHC 2022: Cork 3-30 Tipperary 1-24 All-Ireland SHC qualifier 2020: Tipperary 2-18 Cork 1-17 DID YOU KNOW *This will be their fourth meeting of the year, with Cork leading 2-1 from the previous three. Tipperary won a Division 1A Allianz League group game by four points, while Cork had ten points to spare in the League Final and won the Munster 'Round Robin' game over 14-man Tipp by 15 points. *Cork are bidding to end a 20-year wait without an All-Ireland win, having last won in 2005 when they completed a double. Their previous longest gap was 16 years between 1903 and 1919. *Tipperary won the last major clash with Cork, which was played in Croke Park. That in the 2014 All-Ireland semi-final, which they won by 2-18 to 1-11. *Cork are bidding to complete and All-Ireland National League double for the first time since 1970. JOHN FOGARTY'S MATCH PREVIEW: Cork ready to earn it It may be a blueblood final but there are artisan strains to how both teams have progressed to this point. Cork, as phenomenal as they were last day out, have won just three of six SHC games in normal/extra time. Aiming for a sixth consecutive championship win, Tipperary have changed their midfield in the previous five (Willie Connors has had four different partners since the Waterford game). The chances are that pattern will end in this final seeing as Conor Stakelum performed so admirably in the semi-final but the north Cork combination they face are so comfortable playing along one another. We have seen the best of Tim O'Mahony in midfield these past couple of seasons and Darragh Fitzgibbon is again in ebullient form. As subtle as it seems, Fitzgibbon returning to midfield from centre-forward has been a key factor in Cork's recalibration following that chastening day against Limerick in May. Fitzgibbon and Shane Barrett are speed merchants but it makes sense that at least one is starting his gallops from further out the field. When Liam Cahill's former selector Pádraic Maher said in January that Tipperary's proud record of winning an All-Ireland every decade was under threat, it was because we asked him. It wasn't something he brought up unprompted but he also pointed out being written off was a good place to be. Cahill has since spoken about how motivated he and his group are when they are told there is something they cannot do. Here, they will be told they can't win because Cork will do most of the hurling. That premise may be true but as they showed against Kilkenny, Tipperary don't need to boss the ball to prosper providing they are efficient and they season those patches with goals. Tipperary will show Cork respect by virtue of their preference to man-mark rather than playing zonally. Dublin went the same way and Niall Ó Ceallacháin warned it was a risk but to go the other way, he said, would only have ensured a slow if painless death. Tipperary won't stand off their men as much as Dublin. There is a chance they match-up well against Cork's attack. They will strive to keep their half-back line connected to the full-backs. No, the question is will Cork acknowledge that Tipperary have evolved from the sides they trimmed in the Division 1 final and second round of the Munster SHC. Jake Morris deserves attention and while he might be the only forward they feel has to be tracked, how Tipperary's inside line thrived on aerial ball has to be on Pat Ryan's mind as solid as that Cork trio have been looking. Ryan and his management team have done their due diligence. Losing but learning from last year's final, their players have too. Cork to win. Not because it's their time. Not because they deserve it. Not because they are the better team and have the better bench. Because they look ready to earn it. Verdict: Cork
