BACK TO BACK! Tipperary legends defend their All-Ireland title in emphatic fashion!

Gaelic Masters Association Masters All-Ireland Hurling Final

Tipperary 3-24 

Wexford 0-12

By Michael McCarthy

Reigning champions Tipperary waited until the final to produce their best display of the championship and did so in terrific fashion on Saturday in Raparees Starlights GAA Club, Enniscorthy.. Tipp were able to call on former Senior stars Lar Corbett, Shane McGrath and Eoin Kelly while the purple and gold had Gizzy Lyng and MJ Furlong in their ranks. 

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Wexford won the toss and elected to play with the strong wind. They needed a fast start to put the champions under pressure, but the game was only 30 seconds old when Toomevara native David Young popped on the wing and fired over the first score. 

John O’Connor replied with a long range free on three minutes, but this would turn out to be Wexford's only score in the first 15 minutes, and the signs were ominous. Pat Shortt with three from frees while Tommy O’Connor stole in from his left corner forward position for the games opening goal on six minutes. 

David Young scored two more minors, and Tipp held a 1-06 to 0-01 lead at the half point of the half. Wexford would have their best spell of the game on the approach to half-time. 

Joey Lawlor was lively in the corner and scored two points in as many minutes while Gary Morton added from a placed ball. Pat Shortt struck another free to steady the Tipperary ship and Tommy Connors and a beauty from Eoin Kelly added to Wexford woes. 

Nigel Higgins, Gizzy Lyng and another from Lawlor kept them in touch but 2024 final man of the match Matty Stapleton ventured up field for a fine score and Lar Corbett rounded out the first half scoring as Tipp led 1-11 to 0-8 at the break. 

With the wind at their backs, it was hard to see anything other than a premier county victory and Owen Shortt and Ronan O’Brien extended the lead within the first two minutes. Donie Doyle and the impressive Tommy Collins exchanged points before three Pat Shortt points (two frees) kept Tipp ticking over. 

The manager, O’Grady, subbed himself in and his introduction bore immediate fruit with Lar Corbett finishing a fine Tipp move to the net. Joe Caesar and Shane McGrath added further minors before ‘Redser’ scored Tipp’s third goal with a fantastic finish and immediately subbed himself off. 

James Tonks and Eddie Redmond added points for Wexford, but their race was run. Young, Connors, Pat Shortt and Shane Stapleton all got on the scoresheet before the final whistle to round out an emphatic victory for Tipperary. 

This was Tipperary’s eighth Masters victory and was met with great celebrations from the fine crowd that travelled to support. Six teams took part in the round robin, and it is hoped that more will sign up in the future. 

For Wexford they will be disappointed with their showing especially on home soil, but they can have no grievance with the result. A Tipperary native of Clonoulty Rossmore fame stood in the goals for them, Declan O’Dwyer, and could not be faulted for any of the concessions while John O’Connor, Joey Lawlor and Gary Morton also stood out. For Tipp they had stars all over the team. 

Their defence stood solid despite the absence of Declan Fanning and Paul McGrath. Matty Stapleton was once again to the fore and must have been in the man of the match conversation again while the half back line of Tommy Collins, Cathal Gleeson and Derek Horan hurled what came in front of them. 

The movement of McGrath and Corbett in midfield is a joy while David Young, Tommy Connors and the very impressive Pat Shortt were best in attack. ‘Keeper Eoin Brislane kept a clean sheet and can also be happy with his contribution. Ciarán Ryan, Niall Curran and Ronan O’Brien all contributed from the bench. 

In his acceptance speech, captain Shane McGrath thanked all the management, Players and backroom staff while also having a special mention for Paudie Comerford and OMC Technologies who have been onboard as sponsors for the past two years. 

McGrath told what an honour it was for him, from a small club like Ballinahinch, to captain any Tipperary team at any grade while he also accepted the official Man of the match award to cap off a brilliant day for the North Tipp native. 

With the Masters going back-to-back the gauntlet has firmly been thrown down to messers Liam Cahill and Brendan Cummins to repeat also while manager Ger O’Grady will be hopeful of a three-in-a-row for the Premier County in 2026. ‘Redser’ can only be happy with his charges, lots of new faces were added to the panel in ’25 and with more to come in 2026 competition for places will be high. 

Tipperary: Eoin Brislane (Toomevara); Murty Treacy (Borris-Ileigh), Seán Quirke (Silvermines), Matty Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh, 0-1); Tommy Collins (Ballina, 0-2), Cathal Gleeson (Silvermines), Derek Horan (Shannon Rovers); Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields, 1-1), Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch, 0-1); Pat Shortt (Upperchurch Drombane, 0-8, 0-6f), Shane Maher (Burgess), Joe Caesar (Killenaule, 0-1), Shane Stapleton (Golden Kilfeacle, 0-1), David Young (Toomevara, 0-4), Tommy Connors (Kiladangan, 1-1). 

Subs used: Ciarán Ryan (Cappawhite); Ronan O’Brien (Éire Óg Annacarty, 0-1); Niall Curran (Silvermines); Eoin Kelly(Mullinahone, 0-1); Owen Shortt (Upperchurch Drombane, 0-1); Tom Costello (Cappawhite); Nigel Kenny (Gortnahoe Glengoole); Peter Maher (Thurles Sarsfields);  Ger O’Grady (Thurles Sarsfields, 1-0). 

Wexford: Declan O’Dwyer; Tommy Devereux, Brendan Mulligan, Declan Browne; James Tonks (0-1), John O’Connor (0-1f), Kenny Cloney; Alan Lynch, Mossy Mahon (0-1f); MJ Furlong, Gary Morton (0-2, 0-1f, 0-1 65), Diarmuid Lyng (0-1); Joey Lawlor (0-3), John Breen, Nigel Higgins (0-1). 

Subs used: Chris Daly; Damien Fenlon; L Morrissey; Donie Doyle (0-1); Eddie Redmond (0-1f); Peter Kennedy; Jamie Miller; Paddy Murphy.

Referee: Pat Murphy (Carlow)

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