REACTION: Tipperary match winner Paddy McCormack puts missing 2024 final firmly to bed!
Paddy McCormack scored 2-1 for Tipperary in their U20 final win over Kilkenny
“It makes a huge difference.”
That is what Paddy McCormack said when asked about how happy he was to not only line out in the U20 decider after missing the 2024 final, but to be the main man in the victory that sends Tipperary second in the roll of honour with Kilkenny.
“You were watching last year and can’t do anything about it, but it made me even hungrier for this year to train as hard as you can and get back,” he said.
“Once we managed to get back into the final, there was no way we were going to lose. Everyone gave 100 percent. There was no chance we were coming out of here with a loss.”
McCormack had an uncharacteristically quiet first half but the second half was a different story for the Borris-Ileigh man who bagged two massive goals and caused huge problems in general, to help Tipperary on their way.
“I’ll take that any day in an All-Ireland final. It’s unbelievable,” he laughed when asked how it felt to be the match winner.
“That failure last year probably got us over the line today.
“It was some revenge, we had to win, and the loss to Offaly helped us today, especially with the game in Nowlan Park.
“When the goal opportunities came, we had to take them because goals win matches.
“We were happy enough to be going in two points up against the breeze at half-time.
“We knew we just had to be patient, and eventually, the right ball came in in the second half with the wind, and we managed to make hay while the sun was shining.
“We were a bit lucky in the minor (2022 final) and we looked to right the wrongs as a group this year.
“We wanted to win the final properly with nothing hanging over it. A proper title.”