Another great day in Dublin as Tipp turn in on in an extraodinary second half

By Curly

Sunday’s All Ireland Hurling final produced probably the strangest second half I have witnessed in all the finals I have attended. Sunday’s game was my 57^th in succession (counting the three replays) and I have never seen anything like Cork’s total collapse. When the Rebels scored their goal in first half injury time I was sure they would push on and end their 20 year drought, but Tipp had other ideas and what a display they gave to win their first title in six years.

It has to be said Lady Luck completely deserted the men in red during that second period, hitting the post three times and the crossbar once, having a man sent off and having a penalty saved. Nothing would go right for them at all but that is not to take anything away from Tipp who were sensational.

***Antr***im county chairman Seamus McMullan and his wife Siobhan with Cork superfan Cyril Kavanagh outside Croker on Sunday

Once again the whole occasion was fantastic. It is always the place to be on All Ireland final day and Sunday’s meeting of the two Munster giants made it even more special. Cork appeared to have twice as many followers as Tipp, but maybe it is just the red jerseys stand out more than the blue and gold. Of course one of the great things about final day is that every county in Ireland get a good share of tickets, and of course Antrim are no exception. Having said that there didn’t appear to be as many Saffs about on Sunday, when I was outside with the camera before and after the game. Bringing a camera to the games is something I have done for almost forty years, many of them working from pitch side, but since I stopped working for the Kilkenny People that has become more difficult.

I got a few action shots from my seat in the Lower Cussack stand on Sunday but mostly the pics are of the fans who attended. Another fantastic day and one that will live long in the memory.