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Henry Shefflin celebrates scoring the first goal of the 2009 final. Morgan Treacy/INPHO
Best of Enemies

Five of the best: The greatest Kilkenny - Tipperary games in the modern era

The games that defined hurling’s greatest rivalry.

2013 WAS ANNOUNCED AS a new dawn for hurling and its hierachy, but fast-forward 12 months and the two counties with the most storied history in the game once again contest the showpiece event.

GAA rivalries don’t get any bigger or more intense than Kilkenny-Tipperary. Two of the greatest sides in the history of the sport have produced some a classics over the years. They meet for the 25th time in championship since 1887 on Sunday.

We’ve had a look back at five of their best meetings in the modern era.

Brendan Cummins celebrates Brendan Cummins celebrates Tipperary's win in 2010. Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO

2010 – Kilkenny’s drive for five ends in tears

Tipperary 4-17 Kilkenny 1-18

Kilkenny, undefeated in 21 championship games, arrived at the 2010 All-Ireland final chasing a record-breaking fifth straight All-Ireland title and immortality.

The build-up to the game was dominated by Henry Shefflin’s battle to overcome a cruciate ligament tear, suffered in the semi-final win over Cork. Shefflin started the game but the gamble didn’t pay-off and he was withdrawn after just 12 minutes when the injury flared up.

Jonny2688 / YouTube

Liam Sheedy’s men compounded the loss of Shefflin with a fine start, including Lar Corbett’s first goal in the 10th minute. Kilkenny fought back to trail by a point at the break but two second-half goals from Corbett and one from Noel McGrath buried the Cats.

A Tipp side featuring five U21s had gunned down the greatest team in history. The future was theirs.

Henry Shefflin celebrates scoring the first goal Henry Shefflin celebrates scoring the first goal of the 2009 final. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

2009 – Cats reach new heights

Kilkenny 2-22 Tipperary 0-23

In the first installment of three successive All-Ireland final meetings, Tipperary were tasked with stopping Kilkenny’s record-equaling bid for a fourth successive All-Ireland title.

One of the greatest games of the modern era, it was the first time these powerhouses met in an All-Ireland final since 1991. 0-13 from Eoin Kelly wasn’t enough as Henry Shefflin’s 1-8 proved decisive.

Tipp led the game well into the second half but the dismissal of Benny Dunne in the 54th minute for a wild swing at Tommy Walsh handed the initiative to the Cats.

allthedoyles / YouTube

Tipp’s resolve was finally broken in the dying minutes when Kilkenny were awarded a contentious penalty decision and Henry Shefflin drilled it to the net. Substitute Martin Comerford nailed a second goal seconds later to seal the victory and Kilkenny’s place in history.

Kilkenny and Tipp Fans 8/9/2002 DIGITAL A brilliant sign from the Kilkenny fans in the 2002 final. INPHO INPHO

2002 – DJ returns to break Tipp’s resistance

Kilkenny 1-20 Tipperary 1-16

Kilkenny faced a daunting task against the reigning All-Ireland champions and without a win against the Premier County since 1967. But the return of DJ Carey, who missed the entire Leinster championship, inspired the Cats to victory after just six weeks of preparation.

The sides were level on nine occasions, including half-time, before John Carroll’s 47th minute goal left Tipp in a prime position. But in a game best remembered for Carey’s brilliance, he scored four points and played in Jimmy Coogan for the goal that broke Tipp’s resistance.

1991 – Fox leads Tipp to victory

Tipperary 1-16 Kilkenny 0-15

Exactly twenty years since their last championship meeting, “Babs” Keating returned to lead Tipp to their second All-Ireland title in three years.

In the intervening years Kilkenny had racked up seven All-Irelands, but Tipp arrived in the final as red-hot favourites after the Cats had struggled through Leinster and only scraped past Antrim in the semi-final.

hurlingtime / YouTube

Kilkenny had started the better but a mishit 21-yard free from Michael “Skippy” Cleary early in the second-half swung the pendulum firmly in Tipp’s favour. The Premier County never looked back from that point and a late insurance score from Pat Fox sealed the win and his man-of-the-match award.

A major talking point in the game was Aidan Ryan’s booming shoulder that sent John Power flying into the barbwire fencing, where he cut his hand and reacted furiously to the incident.

1971 – The ‘Babs in Barefeet’ final

Tipperary 5-17 Kilkenny 5-14

This was the first ever All-Ireland final broadcast in colour by Telefís Éireann. In a ten-goal classic, Eddie Keher was the star of the show, posting 2-11 in a game for the ages.

Tipp bagged a couple of freak goals in a game to put them in control of a game that will forever be remembered for Michael “Babs” Keating throwing away his boots and socks and playing out the remaining few minutes of the game in his bare feet.

Conor Ryan / YouTube

Tipp’s three point victory put them top of the All Ireland SHC roll of honour with their 22nd win.

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