‘Sunday’s match was a special day – the Tipp and Cork banter was top notch’

I woke up on Monday morning and wondered was it all a dream? Had Tipperary actually been crowned All-Ireland senior hurling champions 2025? A resounding yes, lit up my brain. The delight spread through my veins. My first thoughts were with my nephew, Conor Bowe, who has been on the team, off the team, on the bench and scoring and training with the greater Tipp panel all through the year. He will receive a championship medal and it will join his U20 All-Ireland medal of 2019. I am so very proud of him.

The commitment these players make is simply remarkable. They miss family events, train in all weathers, they are disciplined with their food and training. They experience highs and lows – the sacrifice is huge, but they keep showing up.

Our road to Croke Park

The rain was pouring down as Tim and I collected Philip at 7.04am on Sunday morning. The two Cork men assessed their chances. Each Cork player would handle his Tipp opponent. There was an odd “sorry Mum” as they detailed how the demise of Tipp would take place.

The Rebels would go in five or six points up at half-time – they weren’t wrong. There would be a match for about 15 minutes into the second half and then Cork would bury them. “Sorry Kay.”

There were a few slow-downs in heavy traffic as we made our approach via the Port Tunnel and parked up. We met up with my two nieces, Aoife and Áine Bowe, and went to find breakfast.

A tip-off from a local man led us to the Kingfisher restaurant. We had a hearty breakfast and the banter was top notch.

Liam Cahill led his troops into Croke Park on foot. There was something magnanimous about the display. They were ready for war.

We headed to our seats in Croke Park. My ticket was for the Cusack stand. Climbing the steps, I heard a Tipp supporter say: “the Tipp bus is 15 minutes away”. The route that both team buses would take was lined with supporters. Then the gates opened and the Cork bus entered. The sight of blue and gold – four and five people deep – must have rattled them. They drove on. A few minutes later, the gates were thrown back for the Tipp bus. It stopped in front of the cheering crowd. The doors opened and the management team dismounted, followed by the team and all the panel. Liam Cahill led his troops into Croke Park on foot.

There was something magnanimous about the display. They were ready for war.

I fully believed in that moment that Tipp could win. I took my seat. The atmosphere was electric as fans waited for their own colour of magic to unfold. Tipp were unrelenting in chasing down Cork. The supporters began to leap from their seats when goals thundered in off the hurleys of John McGrath (2) and Darragh McCarthy. Tipp points continued to split the posts, culminating in a final score of 3-27 to 1-18. The final roar from Tipp supporters lifted the roof. The excitement was fabulous and I felt part of the magic.

Ronan Maher gave a fabulous speech and poignantly remembered the tragic loss of their teammate, Dillon Quirke, in 2022. It was very clear that the Tipp team were psychologically bonded together to support each other on and off the field.

On the Sunday Game, Brendan Cummins said that Ronan Maher, captain, gave one of the greatest defensive displays in hurling ever. The inspirational leader was named man of the match. In Jackie Tyrell’s words “he ruled the skies”.

Donal Óg Cusack summed it up perfectly saying that Tipperary out-classed Cork tactically and physically. In truth, Cork were run over by the Tipperary bus. Liam Cahill’s management team reaped the ultimate reward against a doubting media. It was a terrific win for Tipperary.