The All Ireland Hurling Final

The great search for tickets goes on. For some its part of the build up to All Ireland Final weekend, but has there ever been such a hunt for tickets as in 2025. Tomorrow, Cork and Tipperary face off in the All-Ireland hurling final for the first time. However, the two counties have met in so many classics over the years – it is obvious that we are in a for a treat this Sunday. But how about this helter skelter encounter from 1949 between the two counties:

Scenes of enthusiasm followed Tipperary’s wonder goal in the closing seconds of the Munster Senior Hurling tie at Limerick on Sunday, when Tipperary, following the playing of extra time, snatched victory from a winning Cork team and will meet Clare in the semi-final on Sunday at the same venue.

Tipperary spectators sat in despondent mood as Cork supporters were leaving the grounds, already assured of victory, Cork then leading by 1—5 to 0—5. Then came a dramatic moment. A referee's ball was cut to the Cork goal by Tipperary and Maher flicked the ball back to Jimmie Kennedy, who, in crowded space, beat Mulcahy to the corner of the net to put die teams on level terms and setting Tipperary supporters wild with enthusiasm.

The referee's whistle went immediately afterwards and a huge crowd surged on to the pitch, Kennedy and the Tipperary players being surrounded by a cheering, delighted crowd of followers.

Tipperary's sparkling victory has revitalised hurling in the Premier County and has restored confidence in the team's ability to take the Munster title.

That extra half-hour saw a rehabilitated Tipperary team take the field. They took over twenty minutes to take the field as the Cork men lay in the field, basking in the sunshine and waiting for the re-start. And when Tipperary came on the field they were a resurgent fifteen.

Cork never played a more vigorous game and the first hour's hurling was definitely spoiled by hard pulling " . For three-quarters of the game three of the Tipperary defenders: T. Doyle, Sean Kenny, and T. Brennan wore head bandages, while three substitutes were-called on to the Tipperary team to replace Carroll, Devitt and Coffey. These were Phil Shanahan, Bob Stakelum and P. Furlong, and positional changes followed. Cork had only one substitute in the 90 minutes, G. Murphy for Lotty.  The game was marred to a large extent by frequent stoppages for minor injuries io players, but both teams stood up well to 90 minutes' of hard hurling in broiling sunshine. More than fifteen thousand people filled the side-line seats long before the game was billed to commence, but there were gaps on the terraces, the Intense sunshine deterring many from making the journey, and, the attendance fell by 3,000. Thousands of men sat coatless and many used handkerchiefs and newspapers to ward off the rays of the sun. The scene was a picturesque one as the 12th Batt Army costumed Pipers' Band and St. Mary's Fife and Drum Band, 'Limerick, headed the teams around the field and played "Faith of Our Fathers" and the National Anthem before, the start of the game.

For more information on classic GAA encounters of the past search the pages of the Irish Newspaper Archive (www.irishnewsarchive.com )