'When you love hurling like that, you get your rewards' said Cahill in praise of his players

It was a day of high emotion, soaring pride and deep reflection as Tipperary stormed back to the top of hurling, led by manager Liam Cahill and powered by a fearless blend of youth and experience.

The county's young stars, including Darragh McCarthy, Sam O’Farrell, Eoghan Connolly, Rhys Shelly and Andrew Ormond, claimed their first senior All-Ireland medals.

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Meanwhile, seasoned campaigners like Noel McGrath, Ronan Maher, Jason Forde and Michael Breen added to their collections. But the victory meant more than medals.

For Cahill and the Tipp group, the memory of Dillon Quirke, who tragically died during a match in 2022, was at the heart of the day.

“I just said (back) that Dillon will be on all our shoulders today, regardless of what happens in the result,” Cahill said of a message he sent to Dillon’s father, Dan, before the final.

“Dillon is with us every day. When we started out on this journey in 2023 we were all hit with that devastating tragedy. I was 50 yards from it the day it happened in Semple Stadium and I’ll never forget it.

“It had a huge effect on our dressing room. And today, I never flinched at any stage on the line once he was across my chest. I’m just so proud to have had an input into his life for the short number of years he was with us.”

This was Tipperary’s first All-Ireland final since 2019. They came in as clear underdogs against a Cork side that had swept through Munster. Cahill acknowledged the pressure their opponents had faced.

“To be fair to Cork, I can only imagine what it has been like for Pat (Ryan). Cork have been superb all year.

“I wish it was anybody bar him that I was shaking hands with today. But I know that Cork team will be back and I know that Cork will have their day in the sun soon.”

Tipperary’s second-half display was one of the finest ever seen in an All-Ireland final. They overturned a six-point halftime deficit and outscored Cork 3-14 to 0-2 after the break.

“The (Cork) goal before half-time was a fair sucker punch,” Cahill said. “In that dressing room at half-time, you could see the desire. We started the second half like a rocket.

“Fortune favours the brave and our hurlers were really brave today.”

Cahill also caught attention with his tactical move to deploy Bryan O’Mara as a sweeper, despite previously stating he would not. I suppose the dog on the street knew that you just can’t leave channels for this Cork team to run through,” he said with a smile.

“I like to play 15 on 15 if I can at all, but we had to cut our cloth to measure. When you get to a final you have to try win it.”

One player who Cahill has shown ultimate faith in from the very start of this year was Darragh McCarthy.

Back in January when the team went to Salthill for the league opener, McCarthy started and afterward, Cahill set out his stall to back the mercurial talent, and he has stuck to that throughout what has been a turbulent first year for the Toomevara man, and how the 19-year-old delivered.

“We produce legendary players like Jason (Forde), Eoin Kelly, and (Seamus) Callanan, and all these.

“They can't hang around forever. You'd say, where are you going to find the next one and suddenly up pops McCarthy,” said Liam Cahill.

“19 years of age, he has now arrived. From a serious club up there in Toomevara. Them fellas would eat you alive,” he laughed!

“It was never going to be a case of Darragh's character being questioned or doubting himself. That is the class of this young man and the resilience he has, and he just loves his hurling.

“And when you love hurling like that, you get your rewards. He got his just rewards today.”

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