Cork–Tipperary hurling rivalry

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All Ireland Final Rivalry

Since, before 1997, the provincial winners could only progress to the All Ireland Semi finals, Tipp and Cork could not meet in an All Ireland Senior hurling final. After 1997, it became possible for Tipp and Cork to meet in an All Ireland Final, but they have not done so yet.

Notable moments

• Tipperary 3-10 : 3-10 Cork (May 29, 1949 at the Gaelic Grounds) – This game marked the beginning of a decade-and-a-half of classic Munster Championship clashes between these two sides. Tipperary lined out with a largely inexperienced team, however, for most of the match it looked as if youth would triumph over an ageing Cork side. With only a few minutes left Tipp led Cork by 3-10 to 2-9, however, Jack Lynch stormed forward from midfield and scored a crucial goal to bring his tally to 1-6. A Cork point soon afterwards levelled the game and set up a replay.
• Tipperary 2-8 : 1-9 Cork (June 26, 1949 at the Gaelic Grounds) – While the drawn game was an exciting affair, the replay was a Munster classic. The legendary John Doyle made his championship debut as Cork took a 1-2 to 0-2 lead at the interval. A seemingly legal goal was disallowed for Cork which seemed to throw the team somewhat. Deep into injury-time Cork still led by 1-5 to 0-5, however, Jimmy Kennedy scored the equalising goal and the game headed for extra-time. Both sides took different approaches as extra-time was about to be played. Tipperary retired to their dressing room where the players refreshed themselves with a creamery churn full of water. Cork on the other hand remained out on the field in what was one of the warmest days ever recorded in Ireland. As a result Tipp emerged a much fresher team and won the game by 2-8 to 1-9.
• Tipperary 2-17 : 3-11 Cork (July 23, 1950 at Fitzgerald Stadium) – The 1950 Munster final between Cork and Tipperary is played amid great scenes of anarchy. Up to 50,000 people packed into the stadium as gates were broken down and walls were scaled as uncontrollable fans fought to gain entry. There were supporters on the pitch at the throw-in, while one of them tried to strike Tipp’s Seán Kenny. Tipperary weren’t bothered by the anarchy and led by 1-13 to 1-6 at the interval. As Tipp took an eight-point lead in the second-half the Cork supporters invaded the pitch en masse and interrupted the play for ten minutes. When the pitch was cleared and play resumed Tipperary were clearly rattled and Cork fought back to narrow the deficit. Tipp goalkeeper Tony Reddin had oranges and overcoats thrown at him as he carried out his duties and on one occasion a supporter held him by the jersey as he went to clear the sliotar. Every Cork score was greeted by a pitch invasion, while pleas from Jack Lynch failed to quell them. Tipperary eventually won an anarchical game by 2-17 to 3-11.
• Tipperary 2-11 : 2-9 Cork (July 29, 1951 at the Gaelic Grounds) – The third consecutive instalment of the Cork-Tipperary rivalry has come to be regarded as one of the all-time classic games of hurling. At half-time Tipp led by 0-9 to 1-4, however, the restart saw Cork up the ante. Christy Ring gave an absolute exhibition of scoring, collecting possession, beating tackles and setting up attacks. Tipp, however, never faltered in the wake of Ring's roaming presence. Playing out the final stages of the match in his bare feet Rings converted two more frees, however, Tipp held on to win by two points.
• Tipperary 4-13 : 4-11 Cork (July 31, 1960 at Thurles Sportsfield) – Described as the toughest game of hurling ever played, both Cork and Tipperary were looking forward to a return to the big time. In a classic game Cork had most of the possession in the first-half, however, Tipp led by a goal at the interval. The deadly accuracy of Jimmy Doyle saw him end the game with a tally of 1-8. A nail-biting finish saw ‘the Rebels’ capture a late goal, however, Tipperary held on to win a gruelling encounter.
• Tipperary 3-6 : 0-7 Cork (July 30, 1961 at the Gaelic Grounds) – This game marked the end of twelve years of epoch-making Munster final encounters between these two teams. An official crowd of 62,175 is the biggest ever attendance recorded at a sporting event outside of Croke Park in Dublin. An unofficial attendance, due to spectators storming the gates, meant that the crowd could have been as high as 70,000. The Cork team made the mistake of togging out in the nearby Railway Hotel, however, they then had to barge their way through spectators on the Ennis Road to get to the playing field. The game saw Tipp take complete control. A 3-3 to 0-1 score at the interval meant that the writing was on the wall for Cork. The end of the game took on a nasty streak when Christy Ring became entangled on the ground with John Doyle, before Ring allegedly threw a hurley at Tom Moloughney.
• Cork 1-18 : 1-18 Tipperary (July 12, 1987 at Semple Stadium) – Cork were reigning All-Ireland champions and had ended any chances of a Tipperary hurling revival in both 1984 and 1985. Because of this Cork were installed as favourites to win a record-breaking six consecutive Munster titles, however, Tipperary led by 0-11 to 0-7 at half-time. A second-half goal by Nicky English, which he sidefooted into the net, put Tipp ahead by seven points. Cork fought back with a string of points to level the game at 1-18 apiece.
• Tipperary 4-22 : 1-22 Cork (July 19, 1987 at FitzGerald Stadium) – In spite of surviving a scare in Thurles Cork were still regarded as the favourites for the replay. The team scored five unanswered points in the first ten minutes and led by 1-10 to 1-5 at the interval. Tipperary were inspired after the restart and came back into contention with a succession of points. A Pat Fox point brought the two teams level, however, Cork regained the lead twice but Tipperary levelled twice. At the end of normal time both sides were again level. Extra time was needed. The first period of extra-time saw Cork take a 1-21 to 1-20 lead, but Tipp edged forward with two more quick points. Michael Doyle, son of the legendary John Doyle, came on as a substitute and had the game of his life. He scored two extra-time goals to swing the momentum in Tipp’s favour. Donie O'Connell bagged another goal to give Tipp an incredible victory. Following the victory team captain Pat Stakelum gave one of the most memorable Munster final victory speeches, roaring defiantly that ‘the [Tipperary hurling] famine was over’, before leading the crowd in a version of Slievenamon.
• Cork 4-16 : 2-14 Tipperary (July 15, 1990 at Semple Stadium) – Tipperary were reigning All-Ireland champions and were expected to build on this success in 1990. Despite a strong early start which gavethem a good lead Tipperary lost their way and Cork won well in the end. Mark Foley played the game of his life, scoring 2-7 from play, and helped Cork to an eight-point defeat of the All-Ireland champions.
• Cork 4-10 : 2-16 Tipperary (July 7, 1991 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh) – The 1991 Munster final was regarded as a game to decide not only provincial honours but the destination of the All-Ireland title as well. Tipp looked like a defeated team in the early stages and fell 3-5 to 1-7 behind at the break courtesy of three goals shared by John Fitzgibbon and Ger FitzGerald. Young star John Leahy bagged the goal for Tipp, however, Fitzgibbon scored a fourth goal for Cork. The momentum moved towards Tipp after this, however, Nicky English had a perfectly legal later equaliser ruled out. Pat Fox levelled the game at the end and a replay was needed.
• Tipperary 4-19 : 4-15 Cork (July 20, 1991 at Semple Stadium) – The replay was even more exciting than the draw with Cork taking a nine-point lead at half-time. At the end of the third quarter a Kevin Hennessy goal left ‘the Rebels’ 3-13 to 1-10 in front. Star forward Nicky English was ruled out of the game through injury, however, the Tipp forwards proved an effective unit without him. Pat Fox produced a great goal to leave just three points between the sides. An overhead flick by Declan Carr subsequently levelled the sides as full-time approached. Tipp then went two points ahead while a Tomás Mulcahy shot on goal was cleared and resulted in Aidan Ryan scoring one of the all-time great Munster final goals for Tipp. John Fitzgibbon answered with a Cork goal, however, the momentum was with Tipperary who won by 4-19 to 4-15.
• Tipperary 1-19 : 1-13 Cork (June 8, 2008 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh) – After a defeat in the qualifiers the previous year Cork were hoping to gain revenge on Tipperary. The game started well for Cork as 'the Rebels' took a 1-8 to 0-4 lead after twenty minutes. Eoin Kelly got the decisive goal shortly after and at half-time COrk's lead was cut to the narrowest of margins - 1-9 to 1-8. After an hour of hurling both sides were locked on 1-12 apiece, however, it was then that Tipperary powered forward. Shortly after a converted side-line cut gave Tipp a 1-15 to 1-12 lead. The men from the Premier County then bagged four of the next five points and ran out easy winners in the end. It was an historic victory for Tipperary as it was their first championship victory over Cork in Cork since 1923.

All time results

See also

• Cork GAA
• Tipperary GAA
• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
• Munster Senior Hurling Championship