Tipperary are All-Ireland senior hurling champions for the first time since 2019 after a stunning win against Cork. Here's how we rated the Premier County players.
TIPPERARY
Rhys Shelly - 8
To think this was Tipperary's second-choice goalkeeper at the start of the Championship. Mixed up his puck-outs nicely and got 22 of his 29 away. Couldn't have done much about the Cork goal and enjoyed a thunderous second-half performance, scoring a point from play and saving a penalty. Steady under a series of dangerous high balls too.
Robert Doyle - 7.5
Enjoyed the freedom of Croke Park for one score late in the first half. His principal task was to pick up Alan Connolly and he held the goal-poacher supreme to just a point from play. Excellent overall in just his eighth Championship game. 7.5
Eoghan Connolly - 7.5
Wore number three but started on the wing and picked up Diarmuid Healy, who had a strong first-half. Offered plenty going forward, scoring his 14th point of the campaign, taking a shot that went just wide and feeding John McGrath for the penalty and Tipp's third goal.
Michael Breen - 8
Exceptional in the second half as Tipp turned the screw. When he won a 47th-minute free and punched the air, it summed up both his and the team's attitude. Held Patrick Horgan to a point from play and picked up his third All-Ireland winner's medal at the end of a season in which he started every game.
Craig Morgan - 6
Had his hands full on Shane Barrett, Cork's best performer overall. Barrett streaked past Morgan for a 10th minute point, an early indicator of what was to come. Ended up as Tipp's sweeper for a spell in the second-half, replacing Bryan O'Mara there. Eventually replaced with 15 minutes to go.
Ronan Maher - 8
Got the job of marking Brian Hayes, the pre-match Hurler of the Year favourite. The Tipp captain fouled Hayes for a free that was converted and a late penalty that wasn't. Hayes scored just a point from play overall and faded out of the game as Maher helped power Tipp on to a famous win.
Bryan O'Mara - 7.5
Handed the task of sweeping between the two defensive lines for Tipperary. The number seven helped lock down a mean defence and just got there moments too late to stop Shane Barrett getting his shot away for the Cork goal. Came off with an apparent injury.
Willie Connors - 8
Wore number eight but dropped to wing-back to accommodate Bryan O'Mara operating as a sweeper. Picked up Declan Dalton who was the first Cork player substituted. Shot a silly wide late in the first half when Tipp were taking on water but was brilliant in the second-half.
Conor Stakelum - 7.5
Played his part in a landmark with a trojan performance in the middle. Chased down Tim O'Mahony, pinched a point and got through plenty of work before being replaced late on.
Jake Morris - 7.5
Won a free in the 43rd minute, which was converted, and begged the crowd to raise the decibel levels even further. A player who loves the big occasion and helped himself to two points. Only came on as a sub in the 2019 final win but was a key performer this time, despite three first-half wides.
Andrew Ormond - 8
Struck back-to-back points at the start of the second-half which got Tipperary going and indicated their appetite for destruction. Drew a foul off Mark Coleman which led to a point and stepped up impressively on the big occasion.
Sam O'Farrell - 7
On just his eighth Championship appearance, the Nenagh man oozed quality, like his sumptuous pass over the top for Eoghan Connolly's goal chance. Nominally Tipp's number 12 but lined out at midfield next to Conor Stakelum. Set up Jake Morris for the opening point and two more in the third quarter as Tipp got on top.
Darragh McCarthy - 9
What a performance from the Toomevara phenom. 1-13 on All-Ireland final day speaks for itself but it was the nerveless display that really stood out. He was jeered for his elaborate, and perhaps laboured, free-taking routine but wasn't rattled and only drilled a single wide all day. Nailed the penalty superbly when it would have been easy to take the point.
John McGrath - 9
Picked a fine time to score his 21st and 22nd Championship goals. Aside from the 2-02 he stuck away, McGrath also won the penalty that Darragh McCarthy converted, hauled to the ground by Eoin Downey who was sent off on a second yellow card. The second half, when he scored 2-01, was probably his greatest 35 minutes in a Tipp shirt.
Jason Forde - 7
Had Sean O'Donoghue for company in a head-to-head that lasted the duration. Wasn't on the frees despite a strong semi-final display against Kilkenny but still escaped his man for two points. Drew an important free off O'Donoghue that led to a first-half point too.
Substitutes
Seamus Kennedy - 6.5
The first man in, for Bryan O'Mara. Spread it around well when he gained possession.
Alan Tynan - 7
Brought even more power and purpose to the Tipp attack when introduced.
Noel McGrath - 7
What a day for the veteran attacker who picked up his fourth All-Ireland medal. Scored the last point and held his arms aloft in celebration. Possibly his last act for Tipp.
Darragh Stakelum - no rating
Got the last five minutes. Registered a wide.
Oisin O'Donoghue - no rating
Not on long enough to grab a fourth goal of the Championship.
