All Ireland Final Podcast Preview with Mark Kennedy, Niall O’Meara and James Mulcare.
Tipperary is the most improved team in this year’s hurling championship. What a difference twelve months makes.
Tipperary propped up the Munster SHC round robin standings last season. For the side to secure an All Ireland final appearance is a superb turnaround regardless of what happens this Sunday.
This achievement shows the hard work, dedication, and resiliency of the team management of recent years has reaped the rewards. The players also continue to trust the process. Hawkeye Sidekick reflects on Tipperary’s campaign this year.
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
| Fixture | Date | Home Team | Score | Score | Away Team | Result |
| Round One | April 20th | Tipperary | 2-23 | 2-23 | Limerick | Draw |
| Round Two | April 27th | Cork | 4-27 | 0-24 | Tipperary | Loss |
| Round Three | May 10th | Clare | 2-21 | 4-18 | Tipperary | Win |
| Round Four | May 18th | Tipperary | 1-30 | 1-21 | Waterford | Win |
Tipperary drew the short straw in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship bye week scheduling. The fixtures coming thick and fast for the Premier County.
Many hurling fans and pundits questioned Tipperary. They wondered if the side had the squad depth to progress from Munster. This concern arose from their campaign twelve months prior.
A genuine question arose. Liam Cahill, Michael Bevans and Tipperary players used it in the right manner. A strong Allianz NHL campaign to start the year continued into championship with a stirring draw at home to Limerick. Tipperary met the Limerick physical challenge head on. One will argue that Tipperary were unlucky not to secure an opening day win.
The second-round robin fixture in effect was over before it started. Darragh McCarthy looking to set down the marker early sent off. Cork with a player advantage scored three goals in the opening quarter. The game was over as a contest. Each Tipperary player on the pitch though did not drop their heads. They continued to persevere in difficult circumstances. Team cohesion and togetherness reinforced.
The heavy loss to Cork setup a key away trip to Ennis which was effectively a winner take all contest. Tipperary rose to the occasion with standout performances from the middle third. The forward line’s pace and movement were too much for the Banner. Clare eliminated. Tipperary with a marquee win with a resilient showing.
Tipperary took Waterford’s early salvo in and third quarter points spree and closed the game out superbly well. The movement of the Tipperary middle third impressive and 1-30 speaking volumes of the team’s ability to put big scores.
Tipperary securing third place in the provincial round robin standings. This was a perfect setup for Liam Cahill and Michael Bevans. They used the three weeks to freshen the squad. It also gave Tipperary players with injury issues time to heal. Mission accomplished.
All Ireland Series
| Fixture | Date | Team | Score | Score | Team | Result |
| Prelim | June 14th | Laois | 0-18 | 3-32 | Tipperary | Win |
| Quarter-Final | July 21st | Tipperary | 1-28 | 2-17 | Galway | Win |
| Semi-Final | July 6th | Tipperary | 4-20 | 0-30 | Kilkenny | Win |
Tipperary management and players have embraced the All-Ireland series. Performance improvements seen with each passing round. Tipperary putting Laois out of their misery with a comprehensive opening half demolition. Liam Cahill having the luxury to call ashore marquee players early to allow squad players valuable game minutes.
The July 21st fixture was a repeat of the same 2023 fixture between Tipperary and Galway. The Tribesmen won that match with ease.
The roles though reversed this year as Tipperary held all the aces in the middle third. Pace and movement of the Tipperary attack the story of the game. Fifty-one shots from Tipperary a sign of their superiority on the night. The two-goal concession sharpening Tipperary minds defensively.
Tipperary’s win over Kilkenny was a standout win. Kilkenny’s opening quarter dominance smashed with a three-goal salvo from Tipperary in the second quarter. The inside full forward line enjoying early ball. John McGrath, Jason Forde and Darragh McCarthy all finding the net.
The ability of Tipperary to take opposition punches and defiantly respond has a key characteristic of this side’s campaign.
Kilkenny looked in the ascendancy heading into the final ten minutes. Darragh McCarthy received a second yellow card again. Tipperary faced that setback along with poor officiating of the Andrew Ormond helmet incident to secure victory. The score gate controversy aside, Tipperary deserved the victory.
Oisin O’Donoghue proving a superb bench impact player with key goals against Galway and Kilkenny. Eoghan Connolly and Conor Stakelum’s opening half cameos cannot be understated. Their first half scores against Kilkenny gave Tipperary a foothold in the game which setup the goal salvo.
Team Scoring
The full forward line has reveled in the distribution and quality of service provided. The resurgence of Jason Forde and John McGrath has been a joy to watch. Both players contributing 46% of team scores. Their experience has complemented the youthful exuberance of Darragh McCarthy.
Tipperary management have been rewarded by naming players on form. Andrew Ormond was a player unknown outside Tipperary but the player has taken his opportunity superbly well. His movement is impressive. He has the ability to create space in the middle third. This has allowed Jake Morris and the inside full forward line to impress even further.
Twenty-one players have scored for Tipperary this season. The contributions from midfield and half-back line noteworthy. Eoghan Connolly’s ability to score points from long range has been outstanding. Sam O’Farrell and Willie Connors also have chipped in with super cameos too.
| Player | Total | Pts Scored Per Game | Percent of Team Scores |
| Jason Forde | 52 | 7.43 | 23.64 |
| Darragh McCarthy | 36 | 5.14 | 16.36 |
| John McGrath | 29 | 4.14 | 13.18 |
| Jake Morris | 22 | 3.14 | 10.00 |
| Andrew Ormond | 19 | 2.71 | 8.64 |
| Eoghan Connolly | 14 | 2.00 | 6.36 |
| Oisin O’Donoghue | 11 | 1.57 | 5.00 |
| Willie Connors | 8 | 1.14 | 3.64 |
| Sam O’Farrell | 8 | 1.14 | 3.64 |
| Noel McGrath | 3 | 0.43 | 1.36 |
| Darragh Stakelum | 3 | 0.43 | 1.36 |
| Conor Stakelum | 3 | 0.43 | 1.36 |
| Craig Morgan | 2 | 0.29 | 0.91 |
| Alan Tynan | 2 | 0.29 | 0.91 |
| Seamus Kenneally | 2 | 0.29 | 0.91 |
| Bryan O’Mara | 1 | 0.14 | 0.45 |
| Seamus Kennedy | 1 | 0.14 | 0.45 |
| Robert Doyle | 1 | 0.14 | 0.45 |
| Joe Caesar | 1 | 0.14 | 0.45 |
| Peter McGarry | 1 | 0.14 | 0.45 |
| Joe Fogarty | 1 | 0.14 | 0.45 |
Scoring Balance
Tipperary’s ability to score from open play to the fore in the table data below. Only 24% of their scores came from placed balls.
| Open Play | Placed Balls | Total Scores For | Placed Balls to Total Scores % |
| 167 | 53 | 220 | 24.09 |
Goals For and Against
| Played | Goals Scored For | Points Scored For | Total Scores For | Goals Against | Points Against | Total Scores Against | Points Difference |
| 7 | 15 | 175 | 220 | 11 | 157 | 190 | +30 |
Tipperary have shown their ability to score goals throughout the campaign. Apart from Cork and Waterford fixtures, they have scored goals. They performed effectively against Kilkenny to create space inside. This allowed their full forward line to score and will have Cork on high alert.
The Premier County are not afraid to shot on Sunday if given opportunities. Their policy to shot on sight was seen to full effect against Galway with fifty-one shots during the seventy minutes. Tipperary’s wide count will creep up on Sunday but that will not deter management and this player group.
Closing Remarks
The trilogy fixture that no-one predicted at the start of this hurling championship is upon us. It is extremely difficult for a team to beat an opponent three times in a championship season. Tipperary come into this fixture under the radar.
This final appearance is a bonus for some. It is bonus territory for a Tipperary side. They will cultivate more talent from the underage ranks next season. They are ahead of schedule in some pundits eyes.
Please do not let this narrative fool you. Tipperary traditionally delivers on the biggest stage. The All-Ireland final is a perfect setup. The management and team can right the wrongs of their two losses so far to Cork this season. The middle third setup will be pivotal.
Tipperary to win will need to match Cork’s pace and direct scoring threat. The mission for Tipperary is to keep in this contest with ten minutes to go.
Cork’s ghosts of recent finals past may well resurface. I would not be surprised if Tipperary secured victory with the goal threat that the Premier County have. The question is whether Tipperary defensively can hold their end of the bargain. All to be revealed on Sunday. I for one can’t wait!