Gary Keegan has been working with Cork on mental strength but cracks were exposed by Tipp

After they were carried out on their shield in 2024, Cork's All-Ireland final defeat will take a lot more interrogating this year.

For a team to score 1-16 in the first half, but just 0-2 in the second, will require plenty of work with Gary Keegan to uncover. 

The short answer is that Cork were outfought by a Tipperary team who endorsed their underage credentials on the biggest stage.

In a way, Cork may have been better off taking on the Premier in a semi-final, which they were destined to do until Limerick's shock exit to Dublin.

Any Croke Park nerves which made Tipp vulnerable early on against Kilkenny were well and truly out of their system by the biggest day of the year.

By contrast, Cork will have to ask themselves if the pressure of chasing down a landmark All-Ireland exposed cracks in their mindset.

TRANSFORMED

Cork have dismantled Tipp, but the Premier reaction to install strong fundamentals of work-rate and defensive resilience have transformed them into All-Ireland champions.

Where Cork beat Tipp by 15 points in April, Tipp were 15 points better off by July. Where Cork were six points ahead by half-time, Tipp had produced a 21-point turnaround for a finish.

How Cork collapsed to such an extent will determine how they forge ahead for 2026 and beyond. They won’t forget, either, how their journey has brought them to the brink of Liam MacCarthy glory in 2025.

Pat Ryan has guided them to back-to-back All-Ireland finals, but the last step has been lacking.

On Sunday, Tipp were able to contain Cork with their sweeper system.

At Tipp’s All-Ireland final media day, Liam Cahill brought up the topic of playing a sweeper with a hint of contempt.

When talking about the hurtful comments after last year’s winless campaign, the Premier boss said: “There were other things, such as Cahill plays with a sweeper. Liam Cahill never played with a sweeper on his team in his life. Ever.” 

Now, 12 days later, on All-Ireland hurling final day, Cahill unveiled his masterplan.

Straight from the throw-in, Darragh McCarthy retreated a line, Sam O’Farrell dropped to midfield, Willie Connors sprinted over to Declan Dalton’s wing, and Bryan O’Mara took up his free role at the edge of the D.

When asked about his media rope-a-dope, Cahill replied: “The dog on the street knew that you just can't leave channels for this Cork team to run through.

“Ah look, I'm a traditionalist. I like to play 15 on 15 if I can at all. But we had to cut our cloth to measure to make sure that we gave ourselves a chance of allowing us to express ourselves.

“You have to move with the times. When you get to a final, you have to try and win it.” 

CONTAINMENT

That policy of containment limited Cork’s destructive attack. Ronan Maher was outstanding. Rookie corner-back Robert Doyle matched the scoring output of Tipp’s bete noir, Alan Connolly. Despite the potential size mismatch, Connors outscored Dalton from play.

O’Farrell shackled Darragh Fitzgibbon and Conor Stakelum limited Tim O’Mahony with their ceaseless effort. 

In the area where Cork were given the universal edge, Tipp more than broke even.

Then, in attack, Darragh McCarthy, who has suffered some trauma in his meetings with Cork, was immense. His running between the full- and half-forward lines mitigated Cork’s spare man and denied them easy ball.

His free-taking and composure, questioned after the semi-final, came up trumps.

For this Tipp team to win an All-Ireland at such an early stage of their development highlights them as something special. For Cork, it’s a tough pill to swallow.

They had fulfilled almost every step in the right manner this year to land League and Munster honours. The one blip against Limerick was rectified in short shrift. 

It seemed like the type of lesson that could make a team. But some of the issues which haunted them that day in Limerick resurfaced at Croker.

Their effort and unity fell short, which will be the biggest disappointment. Shane Barrett led the line throughout and Diarmuid Healy turned in a positive performance. The players gave effort, but few will point to reaching their level.

Tipp’s drive to overcome their winless 2024 and honour the memory of departed defender Dillon Quirke proved more powerful. Cahill, who has guided Tipp to surprise underage successes against Cork, had the template in his back pocket.

For Tipp, it’s easier to be the hunter. For Cork, they were the hunted and got overturned. A rethink will be needed to get over the line.