All-Ireland hurling final: All You Need to Know as Cork and Tipperary get ready for a historic clash at Croke Park this Sunday at 3:30 pm, with fans eager to see who will take home the Liam MacCarthy Cup. Coverage is extensive, with live blogs, match reports, and post-game reactions available on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app.
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Where to Watch and Listen
RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player will start their live broadcast at 2:15 pm, while Irish language coverage begins at 2:55 pm on RTÉ News and the Player. BBC2 will also show the match starting at 3 pm. For those who prefer radio, RTÉ Radio 1’s Sunday Sport and Raidió na Gaeltachta will provide live commentary and reactions. Fans can also catch highlights and interviews from the winners’ banquet on The Sunday Game at 9:30 pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
Weather on Match Day
Expect sunny spells mixed with heavy, possibly thundery showers, with temperatures between 17 to 21 degrees and light winds, so fans heading to the game should be prepared for all conditions.
Replay Rules Changed
Last year’s All-Ireland final extra-time decision sparked debate, and the GAA has listened. This year, if the game is tied after 70 minutes, it will go to a replay on Saturday, 2 August, instead of extra-time. Cork manager Pat Ryan, who criticised the sudden extra-time rule last year, believes this change makes the process fairer for players and supporters alike.
Ticket Frenzy Builds Up
Demand for tickets has reached fever pitch, driven by Cork’s passionate following hoping to reclaim the Liam MacCarthy after years without it. Over 60,000 Cork supporters turned out for the semi-final, and the ticket hunt has seen fans offering concert tickets, football final tickets, and even American football tickets in exchange for a seat at Croke Park.
Pat Horgan’s Chance for Glory
At 37, Pat Horgan has another shot to add an All-Ireland medal to his legendary career, similar to Dinny Allen, who finally won with Cork at the same age. Horgan has become the top scorer in the game but has yet to claim that elusive title, and Sunday may offer him a fairytale ending.
A Historic Rivalry Renewed
This final marks the first All-Ireland final meeting between Cork and Tipperary, two giants of Munster hurling, promising an intense showdown. Tipperary, under Liam Cahill, has a strong underage record over Cork, while Cork aims to continue their league final success in the championship.
History Favors Cork Slightly
Cork leads in the overall head-to-head and holds a slight edge in the Liam MacCarthy count, adding another layer of excitement to an already hyped final. Notably, in the last 50 years, teams winning the league final have often gone on to win the All-Ireland when paired again, which may boost Cork’s confidence heading into Sunday.
