Good afternoon, and welcome along to our live coverage of the 2025 Division 1A hurling league final.
It’s Cork versus Tipperary in front of a full house at a sun-kissed SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The Munster sides meet in their first hurling league decider since 1960, as both seek to bridge long gaps for silverware in the competition. Cork last won the league in 1998, while Tipp’s most recent success came in 2008.
Throw-in is 4pm, with the action live on TG4. But we’ll keep you up to date right here.
6 Apr
3:38PM
The earlier game at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh saw Waterford crowned Division 1B hurling league champions. The Déise weathered a late Offaly storm, finishing up 1-27 to 2-20 winners.
The big pre-match news was Brian Hayes being named to start for Cork after a recent injury scare. The Rebels make four changes: Eoin Downey, Cormac O’Brien, Diarmuid Healy, and Alan Connolly all start.
There are five Tipperary switches, as Bryan O’Mara, Sam O’Farrell, Alan Tynan, Gearóid O’Connor and Darragh McCarthy return to the starting team. Noel McGrath is not named in the matchday 26.
No word of any late changes, seems like both teams will start as per programme.
Fitzgibbon with Cork’s second goal. Hayes wins the ball and hands off, Fitzgibbon powers straight through the Tipp defence and slots home under Barry Hogan.
Healy with a point just beforehand, the Cork attack firing on all cylinders.
6 Apr
4:34PM
Cork 2-14 Tipperary 0-11
30 mins – Hoggie with a free after Fitzgibbon’s goal, that’s Cork’s first score of the evening not from open play. O’Farrell slots over at the other end.
6 Apr
4:34PM
Cork 2-15 Tipperary 0-12
32 mins - Fitzgibbon and Stakelum exchange points.
6 Apr
4:39PM
GOAL! Cork 3-15 Tipperary 0-12 (Ethan Twomey 34)
Woooow. A third Cork goal before half time, what a finish from Twomey. Tipperary cough up possession around the middle, the ball is worked to Twomey, who has one thing on his mind. Cúúúúllllll!
6 Apr
4:41PM
Cork 3-16 Tipperary 0-12
36 mins – O’Mahony with another point in the one additional minute, and that should be that for the opening half.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
6 Apr
4:45PM
Cork in control after a dominant first half. 13 points up; Alan Connolly, Darragh Fitzgibbon and Ethan Twomey with the goals. It seems a long way back for Tipperary.
6 Apr
4:46PM
Fintan O’Toole is at Páirc Uí Chaoimh for us.
13 goals now for Cork in their last two and a half games.
Dominant second quarter there, outscoring Tipperary 3-8 to 0-5, firmly in control at break.
Back underway, the attendance at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh is 43,143.
6 Apr
5:00PM
Cork 3-16 Tipperary 0-12
36 mins - O’Farrell drives through the heart of the Cork defence and prepares to shoot on goal, but Cormac O’Brien brilliantly stops him from behind to deny Tipp the dream restart.
They made one change at the break: Sean Kenneally for Joe Caesar.
6 Apr
5:01PM
Cork 3-16 Tipperary 0-14
39 mins – Darragh McCarthy (free) and substitute Kenneally get Tipperary up and running for the second half.
6 Apr
5:03PM
Cork 3-17 Tipperary 0-14
41 mins - Shane Barrett with a lovely point to open Cork’s second-half account.
6 Apr
5:07PM
Cork 3-18 Tipperary 0-14
44 mins - Hoggie free after a series of wides at either end.
Tipp change: Dylan Walsh in for O’Connor.
6 Apr
5:09PM
Cork 3-19 Tipperary 0-14
46 mins - Fitzgibbon with another point to put Cork 14 points ahead.
Another Tipp substitution: Andrew Ormond for McCarthy.
6 Apr
5:12PM
Cork 3-20 Tipperary 0-15
50 mins - Jake Morris point after a few disappointing wides from Tipp, before creator-in-chief Brian Hayes gets his first score of the day and brings Cork’s tally to 3-20.
Cork earlier made their first change: Séamus Harnedy in for Healy.
6 Apr
5:15PM
Cork 3-20 Tipperary 0-16
53 mins – Forde steps up to nail a Tipp free, with McCarthy substituted off.
Two more Cork changes: Mark Coleman for O’Brien, Declan Dalton for Hayes.
6 Apr
5:21PM
Cork 3-21 Tipperary 0-17
57 mins - Forde from play, Hoggie free.
The free was awarded after Darragh Fitzgibbon’s helmet was struck, Tynan wrongly yellow carded, it seemed to be Sam O’Farrell.
Fitzgibbon replaced by Luke Meade just afterwards, while Seamus Kennedy replaces Tynan.
6 Apr
5:22PM
Cork 3-22 Tipperary 0-19
60 mins - Morris and Ormond with the latest Tipperary scores, one from Cork sub Tommy O’Connell sandwiched in between.
O’Connell replaced Ethan Twomey, think we missed that one at the time.
6 Apr
5:25PM
Cork 3-22 Tipperary 0-21
63 mins - Kenneally and Forde (free) tag on two more for Tipp. The free came after Craig Morgan was smothered by several Cork players on the charge.
Cork’s Eoin Downey and Jason Forde of Tipperary. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
6 Apr
5:27PM
Cork 3-23 Tipperary 0-22
65 mins - Hoggie (free) and Forde trade scores.
Shane Kingston replaces Barrett for Cork.
6 Apr
5:32PM
Cork 3-23 Tipperary 0-23
69 mins – Forde from the 65 after his earlier effort from a close-range free is deflected wide. Ciarán Joyce yellow carded for a foul.
Three minutes added on.
6 Apr
5:35PM
Cork 3-24 Tipperary 0-23
73 mins - Hoggie with another free to put 10 between the sides in the dying seconds.
6 Apr
5:35PM
FULL TIME: Cork 3-24 Tipperary 0-23
6 Apr
5:39PM
That’s that. Cork have won their first hurling league title in 27 years, claiming Division 1A glory for the first time since 1998. Three first-half goals from Alan Connolly, Darragh Fitzgibbon and Ethan Twomey sent them on their way to a dominant win over Tipperary.
6 Apr
5:39PM
Cork claim first hurling league title in 27 years with 3-24 to 0-23 victory over Tipperary.
Damage done in second quarter when Cork scored 3-8, second-half play sloppy in phases.
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As it happened: Cork v Tipperary, Division 1A hurling league final
Good afternoon, and welcome along to our live coverage of the 2025 Division 1A hurling league final.
It’s Cork versus Tipperary in front of a full house at a sun-kissed SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The Munster sides meet in their first hurling league decider since 1960, as both seek to bridge long gaps for silverware in the competition. Cork last won the league in 1998, while Tipp’s most recent success came in 2008.
Throw-in is 4pm, with the action live on TG4. But we’ll keep you up to date right here.
The earlier game at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh saw Waterford crowned Division 1B hurling league champions. The Déise weathered a late Offaly storm, finishing up 1-27 to 2-20 winners.
You can read the full match report here>
Here are the two starting teams, as named in recent days. We’ll keep you updated on any potential late changes.
Cork
1. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)
2. Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), 3. Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), 4. Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra)
5. Ciaran Joyce (Castlemartyr), 6. Robert Downey (Glen Rovers – captain), 7. Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum)
8. Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), 9. Ethan Twomey (St.Finbarr’s)
10. Diarmuid Healy (Lisgoold), 11. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville), 12. Shane Barrett (Blarney)
13. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers), 14. Alan Connolly (Blackrock), 15. Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s)
Tipperary
1. Barry Hogan (Kiladangan)
2. Robert Doyle (Clonoulty-Rossmore), 3. Eoghan Connolly (Cashel King Cormacs), 4. Michael Breen (Ballina)
5. Joe Caesar (Holycross-Ballycahill). 6. Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields, captain), 7. Bryan O’Mara (Holycross-Ballycahill)
8. Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs), 9. Sam O’Farrell (Nenagh Éire Óg)
10. Alan Tynan (Roscrea) 11. Willie Connors (Kiladangan), 12. Gearoid O’Connor (Moyne Templetuohy)
13. Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara), 14. Jake Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg). 15. Jason Forde (Silvermines).
The big pre-match news was Brian Hayes being named to start for Cork after a recent injury scare. The Rebels make four changes: Eoin Downey, Cormac O’Brien, Diarmuid Healy, and Alan Connolly all start.
There are five Tipperary switches, as Bryan O’Mara, Sam O’Farrell, Alan Tynan, Gearóid O’Connor and Darragh McCarthy return to the starting team. Noel McGrath is not named in the matchday 26.
No word of any late changes, seems like both teams will start as per programme.
Some last minute pre-match reading on The 42…
Declan Bogue turns back time to the last league final clash of these counties 65 years ago.
And Fintan O’Toole speaks to Cork manager Pat Ryan and Tipperary defender Ronan Maher.
The prize on offer:
Sean Stack is this evening’s referee.
Throw-in is imminent. Call it.
Who will be crowned 2025 Division 1A hurling league champions?
Poll Results:
We’re underway!
Cork 0-1 Tipperary 0-0
2 mins - First blood Cork, Alan Connolly with a fine point.
Cork 0-1 Tipperary 0-1
3 mins – Tipp strike back through Jason Forde after a brilliant diagonal ball from Jake Morris.
Cork 0-3 Tipperary 0-1
5 mins - Shane Barrett and Patrick Horgan with back-to-back scores to send the Rebels back in front.
Cork 0-3 Tipperary 0-2
6 mins – Alan Tynan pulls one back for Tipperary, letting fly after a brilliant dummy won him time and space on the charge.
Cork 0-4 Tipperary 0-3
7 mins - Horgan and Gearóid O’Connor trade scores.
Everything from play so far.
Cork 0-4 Tipperary 0-4
9 mins - Forde squeezes over a superb effort from wide right, under pressure from Eoin Downey, to level matters.
Tipperary 0-5 Cork 0-5
11 mins - Tipperary hit the front for the first time through Sam O’Farrell, before Darragh Fitzgibbon levels it up again.
Cork 0-7 Tipperary 0-5
14 mins – Connolly and Ethan Twomey put Cork in the driving seat once more. The Rebel roar is loud!
Cork 0-7 Tipperary 0-6
15 mins – Darragh McCarthy with the first free of the evening.
Forde shot wide on goal just beforehand, under pressure from Downey. Stack gives the free.
Cork 0-8 Tipperary 0-7
18 mins - Hoggie again, followed by another McCarthy free.
Cork 0-10 Tipperary 0-8
20 mins - Morris levels it, before Fitzgibbon and a superb Tim O’Mahony long-range effort move Cork back in front.
Cork 0-11 Tipperary 0-8
21 mins - Diarmuid Healy adds another. Cork are humming.
GOAL! Cork 1-11 Tipperary 0-8 (Alan Connolly 22)
What a finish!!! Alan Connolly has options but goes himself and hammers home to put Cork six points ahead.
Cork 1-12 Tipperary 0-8
24 mins - Cork’s Ciaran Joyce adds a long-range point from play.
Tipperary have made a change: Darragh Stakelum for Connors.
Cork 1-12 Tipperary 0-10
25 mins – Stakelum steadies himself with a point, before McCarthy adds his third free.
Seán O’Donoghue yellow carded for the late tackle on Morris.
GOAL! Cork 2-13 Tipperary 0-10 (Darragh Fitzgibbon 27)
Fitzgibbon with Cork’s second goal. Hayes wins the ball and hands off, Fitzgibbon powers straight through the Tipp defence and slots home under Barry Hogan.
Healy with a point just beforehand, the Cork attack firing on all cylinders.
Cork 2-14 Tipperary 0-11
30 mins – Hoggie with a free after Fitzgibbon’s goal, that’s Cork’s first score of the evening not from open play. O’Farrell slots over at the other end.
Cork 2-15 Tipperary 0-12
32 mins - Fitzgibbon and Stakelum exchange points.
GOAL! Cork 3-15 Tipperary 0-12 (Ethan Twomey 34)
Woooow. A third Cork goal before half time, what a finish from Twomey. Tipperary cough up possession around the middle, the ball is worked to Twomey, who has one thing on his mind. Cúúúúllllll!
Cork 3-16 Tipperary 0-12
36 mins – O’Mahony with another point in the one additional minute, and that should be that for the opening half.
HALF TIME: Cork 3-16 Tipperary 0-12
Cork in control after a dominant first half. 13 points up; Alan Connolly, Darragh Fitzgibbon and Ethan Twomey with the goals. It seems a long way back for Tipperary.
Fintan O’Toole is at Páirc Uí Chaoimh for us.
Here’s a look at Alan Connolly’s goal. The Blackrock youngster is being hailed as a genius on the TG4 half-time analysis.
And here’s the moment Darragh Fitzgibbon raised Cork’s second green flag:
Back underway, the attendance at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh is 43,143.
Cork 3-16 Tipperary 0-12
36 mins - O’Farrell drives through the heart of the Cork defence and prepares to shoot on goal, but Cormac O’Brien brilliantly stops him from behind to deny Tipp the dream restart.
They made one change at the break: Sean Kenneally for Joe Caesar.
Cork 3-16 Tipperary 0-14
39 mins – Darragh McCarthy (free) and substitute Kenneally get Tipperary up and running for the second half.
Cork 3-17 Tipperary 0-14
41 mins - Shane Barrett with a lovely point to open Cork’s second-half account.
Cork 3-18 Tipperary 0-14
44 mins - Hoggie free after a series of wides at either end.
Tipp change: Dylan Walsh in for O’Connor.
Cork 3-19 Tipperary 0-14
46 mins - Fitzgibbon with another point to put Cork 14 points ahead.
Another Tipp substitution: Andrew Ormond for McCarthy.
Cork 3-20 Tipperary 0-15
50 mins - Jake Morris point after a few disappointing wides from Tipp, before creator-in-chief Brian Hayes gets his first score of the day and brings Cork’s tally to 3-20.
Cork earlier made their first change: Séamus Harnedy in for Healy.
Cork 3-20 Tipperary 0-16
53 mins – Forde steps up to nail a Tipp free, with McCarthy substituted off.
Two more Cork changes: Mark Coleman for O’Brien, Declan Dalton for Hayes.
Cork 3-21 Tipperary 0-17
57 mins - Forde from play, Hoggie free.
The free was awarded after Darragh Fitzgibbon’s helmet was struck, Tynan wrongly yellow carded, it seemed to be Sam O’Farrell.
Fitzgibbon replaced by Luke Meade just afterwards, while Seamus Kennedy replaces Tynan.
Cork 3-22 Tipperary 0-19
60 mins - Morris and Ormond with the latest Tipperary scores, one from Cork sub Tommy O’Connell sandwiched in between.
O’Connell replaced Ethan Twomey, think we missed that one at the time.
Cork 3-22 Tipperary 0-21
63 mins - Kenneally and Forde (free) tag on two more for Tipp. The free came after Craig Morgan was smothered by several Cork players on the charge.
Cork 3-23 Tipperary 0-22
65 mins - Hoggie (free) and Forde trade scores.
Shane Kingston replaces Barrett for Cork.
Cork 3-23 Tipperary 0-23
69 mins – Forde from the 65 after his earlier effort from a close-range free is deflected wide. Ciarán Joyce yellow carded for a foul.
Three minutes added on.
Cork 3-24 Tipperary 0-23
73 mins - Hoggie with another free to put 10 between the sides in the dying seconds.
FULL TIME: Cork 3-24 Tipperary 0-23
That’s that. Cork have won their first hurling league title in 27 years, claiming Division 1A glory for the first time since 1998. Three first-half goals from Alan Connolly, Darragh Fitzgibbon and Ethan Twomey sent them on their way to a dominant win over Tipperary.
That’s all from me on the liveblog, but Fintan O’Toole‘s report will be on The 42 shortly, along with all the usual reaction, analysis and colour.
Thanks for reading – enjoy your evening!
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