Cahill sends a bullish message ahead of 2026 to crowd attending Tipperary medal presentation!

The Tipperary senior & under 20 hurlers received the fruits of their incredible 2025 campaigns when presented with championship winners’ medals at a function at the Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh on Sunday night.

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340 people packed into the impressively renovated venue for a night of celebration, inadvertently added to by members of the family & musical friends of the late Shane MacGowan present to mark the second anniversary of his passing, and he would have welcomed being part of a party.

124 medals were presented to 78 players, 40 – All-Ireland senior championship medals, as well as 42 Under 20 Munster & All-Ireland under 20 medals, presented by special guest, GAA President Jarlath Burns, joined by Munster Council Chairperson Tim Murphy.

Kilruane native and RTE presenter Damian Lawlor was MC, beginning with a special welcome to new Tipperary GAA President Donie Nealon who turns 90 later this week, as well as former Munster GAA Chairperson Ger Ryan who last week announced his intention to run to succeed Jarlath Burns as GAA President at next years Congress.

Nenagh native, County Board Chairperson Jimmy Minogue began the series of addresses by saying 2025 was “an unbelievable year for our county, both on and off the field,” referring laterally to the success of the Win a House Draw and the recent announcement of a new Centre of Excellence at Coolmore Morris Park.

“The real heroes of the year are our players on the U20 and senior panels,” he added. He said the U20 All-Ireland success was “redemption” after falling at the final hurdle twelve months previously, having successfully defended their Munster title.

In acknowledging the seniors incredible All-Ireland success, Minogue pointed to the semi-final win over Kilkenny as key as “it was the day we realised, if there was any doubt, that we had a team to win an All-Ireland,” he said.

Prior to the presentation of each set of medals, announced by PRO Jonathan Cullen, Damian Lawlor interviewed key personnel on each team, beginning with under 20 manager Brendan Cummins and skipper Sam O’Farrell.

O’Farrell was one of six players collecting the full haul of three medals with being part of both successes, along with Darragh McCarthy, Oisin O’Donoghue, Paddy McCormack, Conor Martin, and Aaron O’Halloran.

“I am so proud to be involved with two special teams,” he said, paying tribute to the excellent communication between both managements to ensure he and his team-mates could play to the optimum level for both teams.

Looking to the future, Brendan Cummins said: “We are in a special position with our teams and everyone deserves due credit to provide the basis for us to prepare for success.”

President’s Address

In his address, GAA President Jarlath Burns said it is a great honour for him to be present, not just to present the medals, but also to be in Tipperary.

“For me coming down from Armagh, you know you are coming to a place where the GAA was founded and where tradition and history mix into what we have here tonight” he began.

“For many counties, carrying that tradition and history can be a very heavy burden but not this county. You carry it with ease and with elegance. The way you carry yourselves on the field and off the field shows you are very proud of what happened in Thurles and the fact that 1884 is on your crest means something very special, that the GAA was founded here.”

In recalling the senior All-Ireland victory, he recounted being present at the Sean Treacy memorial on Talbot Street earlier in the day, a Tipperary tradition on All-Ireland Final day, where he became the first GAA President to make the keynote address, despite his busy schedule that day in the stadium.

In congratulating both sets of players for their success, he paid particular tribute to their girlfriends, wives, and partners.

“We know the sacrifices you have to make,” he said.

“It’s alright for the fellas going out as they have a lens in which they view the world, which is hurling at the highest possible level.

“I don’t think in the GAA we appreciate that enough as our players are not professional; this is their spare time. It requires a specific type of resilience and understanding, so officially on behalf of the GAA, I want to say thank you so much to the wives, girlfriends and partners of our All-Ireland winners here for the sacrifices you make and support you give to your partners.”

He also paid tribute to the clubs and coaches for nurturing the players from a young age, and in looking to the future, he provided a road map for both sets of players of where they want to go.

“Today is the closing of a door and the opening of another,” he said.

“To win an All-Ireland medal can do one of two things, and it is very difficult until the ball is thrown in, to decern which is which.

“For one group (of players) it will give them the belief, inspiration, and courage to go on and do it again and again.

“Then there are the other group of players when it comes the tight spot and the moment comes where they have to give that little bit extra, make that run, have to run back, or make a block, and they say, I have my All-Ireland medal and I don’t have to put the same effort in.

“What I would say to all of you, you have won an All-Ireland, you know what it like, you have it in you what it takes to win another. If you can do it this year, given the fact you have an under 20 team amongst you who are also All-Ireland champions, and are coming through, and an under 17 team the previous year coming through, there is no reason why this can’t start a dynasty for Tipperary hurling.

“It’s in this room, in your legs and in your bodies, the only place now you have to put it is in your heads and hearts, and who knows, we might be here again next year.”

Management

Vice-captain Jake Morris, along with coach Mikey Bevans and Liam Cahill were also interviewed by Damian Lawlor and in his closing address, the Tipperary manager began by thanking the players, management, and their partners for their sacrifice in what was achieved.

He paid particular tribute to the parents of the players saying: “there are moments when the news from myself or the management may not be what your son wanted to hear. During those times, I asked you for your understanding, trust, and belief. The environment of Tipperary senior hurling is intensely competitive, and every decision we take is with one thing in mind, that is the best interests of this group. Hurling is never personal and your support is invaluable.”

He also thanked the county board officers and staff for their strong leadership, as well as the clubs for nurturing the players through the years, with particular reference made to Clonakenny and Silvermines who made their facilities available to the team in the early part of the season.

Acknowledging the backing of the supporters club, and the work of the schools and the games development team across the county, they were part of this success.

In thanking his management and backroom team, he began looking to the next challenge, aiming to do something that has not been done since 1964-65, to go back to back.

“This group has earned the opportunity and together we can achieve it,” he added.

“Our players now stand in a position to emulate some of the greatest names to ever wear the blue & gold, Tony Wall, Donie Nealon, Babs Keating, Len Gaynor, the late Sean McLoughlin and Mackey McKenna, their legacy shines brightly as this team has the chance to carve its own place alongside them.

“In 2010, 2016 and 2019, we achieved greatness but did not fully capitalise on those successes. The challenge is clear; we push on, build and create foundations for the future. We have climbed the mountain. We are no longer the hunters; we are the hunted. The bar will rise, expectations will rise and so must our standards.

“Tipperary GAA has invested in the future as the flagship team in this county it is our responsibility to uphold that culture, drive standards, and inspire every young boy and girl who dreams of wearing the blue & gold.”

He concluded by saying: “the future is bright, the future is exciting and together we have the opportunity to create history, not for today but for generations to come.

“To everyone that has travelled with us on his journey, I thank you. To this magnificent group of players, and to our successful under 20’s, enjoy the night, cherish this moment but be ready for the challenges that will come, and they will come, so let’s be ready for 2026. Tiobraid Arann Abu!”

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