Three reasons Cork fell to Tipperary in the All-Ireland final

THIRD-QUARTER TURNAROUND

Up by six at half-time, Cork could not regain their momentum at the outset of the second half.

In tandem with that, Tipperary were able to eat into the deficit score by score before the first goal put them into a lead that they would not relinquish.

Hindsight is of course a marvellous tool to work with but Cork will reflect on that period as being similar to the second part of the first half against Clare in the 2024 final, as a big lead was taken from them.

TIPPERARY PENALTY

The main difference between the deciders of 2024 and 2025 is that, while Cork responded to Clare’s surge 12 months ago and duked it out from there, this time the blue and gold tide could not be kept back.

Darragh McCarthy’s goal from a penalty opened up a 2-20 to 2-17 but, beyond the doubling of the lead, they had a man advantage following the sending-off of Eoin Downey.

While his second booking couldn’t be argued, Cork will feel they could have had a free out when John McGrath nudged the full-back as Eoghan Connolly’s delivery dropped.

EXPERIENCE V SCAR TISSUE

An easy handwave perhaps but, while this was a first final for many of the Tipperary side, eight of the players who saw game-time here had featured in their 2019 final win over Kilkenny.

As has been documented, none of the Cork side have Celtic Crosses and this was a fourth final defeat for some.

In 1982 and 1983, Cork lost All-Ireland finals as favourites but came back to win the centenary title in 1984. That will provide little succour now, though.