Painful defeats will inspire Cork to win

Cork legend Jimmy Barry-Murphy is hoping the pain of recent final defeats can inspire the county to end the wait to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup on Sunday at Croke Park.

The Rebels have been superb since their final defeat to Clare last year, winning the Allianz League, Munster Hurling Championship and swatting Dublin aside in the All-Ireland Hurling Championship semi-finals.

Now comes the final step for Pat Ryan's side as a rejuvenated Tipperary outfit look to emerge from the shadows to claim an unlikely victory.

The former Cork boss Barry-Murphy does not buy into the theory that it helps to lose a final to lead to future success, but acknowledges the emotions of defeat will play a role for the players.

Speaking on Today with Claire Byrne on RTÉ Radio 1, he said: "I'm not so sure about it. You can be lucky and win one in your first year, and the game with Clare last year was an incredible occasion. For the match to go at extra-time and lose was tough for the players.

"Clare were brilliant on the day as well. You've got to acknowledge that. But I think the hunger is there for the Cork team this year.

"I think we've seen that from the start of the year. Winning the league was a huge factor for them because it meant they won a trophy at least after last year. That was, psychologically, very, very important.

"Pat Ryan has done an outstanding job in keeping the players' feet on the ground.

"He has carried himself brilliantly all season, both on and off-the-field.

"His interviews, even after the game, have been very, very grounded. He knows what is at stake and he knows what he's got to do to get the players right."

Jimmy Barry-Murphy arriving to last year's final

Tipperary showed their ability to rise to the big occasion when overcoming Kilkenny in a tight clash last time out.

The Premier County have undoubtedly been under the radar after failing to get out of Munster the year previously.

That can be an advantageous position to be in, with the expectation Cork are destined to come out on top given their victories so far in 2025.

Barry-Murphy admits there is no getting away from the feeling his county are the pick for many.

"There is no doubt Cork are favourites," he said.

"Tipperary have done brilliantly this year and I have to acknowledge the job Liam Cahill has done, as they had a very, very disappointing year last year, something he said himself.

"Huge credit to Tipp to come to where they are now. The history of Cork and Tipperary back to even before when I was young, like the 60s and 70s, is incredible.

"It's a massive occasion because, obviously with the way the structure of the game has changed, Cork and Tipp would never have met in an All-Ireland final in those times.

"So it’s a very, very unique occasion.

"We know we had the hurt of losing last year so I always think there's a massive motivational factor for players who haven’t won one.

"A lot of Tipp players are in the same boat," said the man who won five hurling and one football All-Ireland as a player and added another hurling title as manager in 1999.

"But after the hurt of last year, I think Cork will have a huge incentive to go and do it on Sunday.

"I do really. We all know all these old clichés that you must turn up in the day and you must deliver. To be fair the lads know themselves not enough of our players played to the best of their ability last year.

"I think they will on Sunday and I hope they can."

Watch the All-Ireland Hurling Championship final, Cork v Tipperary, on Sunday from 2.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to commentary on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player

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