County Tipperary’s sporting heritage, anchored in Gaelic games and enriched by rugby, soccer, and more, reflects a deep-rooted passion for competition. From historic victories to thriving clubs and athletes, Tipperary’s story is one of dedication and success.
Hurling stronghold
Tipperary’s senior hurling team has won 28 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championships, with victories in 1887, 1895, 1896, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1906, 1908, 1916, 1925, 1930, 1937, 1945, 1949–1951, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1971, 1989, 1991, 2001, 2010, 2016, and 2019. The county secured 43 Munster Senior Hurling Championships, most recently in 2016, and National Hurling League titles in 1949, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1979, 1988, 1994, 1999, 2001, 2008, and 2018.
In football, Tipperary won the 1920 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship and Munster titles in 1888, 1889, 1895, 1920, 1922, 1935, and 2020. The minor hurling team claimed All-Irelands in 1930, 1932–1934, 1952, 1953, 1955–1957, 1959, 1980, 1982, 1996, 2012, 2016, and 2022.
Leading hurling clubs include Thurles Sarsfields, with 36 Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship titles, most recently in 2017, and Toomevara, with 21 titles, last in 2008. Kiladangan won the 2020 county title and reached the 2021 All-Ireland club final. In football, Clonmel Commercials lead with 19 county titles, including 2024, while Loughmore-Castleiney has dual success, winning hurling and football titles in 2021.
Tipperary’s camogie team won five All-Ireland Senior Championships (1999–2004), with Drom & Inch and Burgess-Duharra dominating club titles.
Hurling heroes:
- Jimmy Doyle (Thurles Sarsfields) – Widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time, won six All-Ireland titles.
- John Doyle (Holycross-Ballycahill) – Held the record for most All-Ireland senior hurling medals (8).
- Nicky English (Lattin-Cullen) – Legendary forward, 1989 Hurler of the Year, and 6-time All-Star.
- Eoin Kelly (Mullinahone) – Premier forward, 6-time All-Star, and captain of the 2010 All-Ireland winning team.
- Pádraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields) – 6-time All-Star defender and leader of the backline for over a decade.
- Brendan Cummins (Ballybacon-Grange) – Renowned as one of the greatest goalkeepers in hurling history.
- Séamus Callanan (Drom & Inch) – 3-time All-Star, Hurler of the Year 2019, and prolific goal-scorer.
- Noel McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) – Master playmaker, key to multiple All-Ireland titles.
- Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields) – 2010 Hurler of the Year, famous for his 2010 All-Ireland final hat-trick.
- Michael “Babs” Keating (Ballybacon-Grange) – A dominant force in the 1960s and 70s, 3-time All-Star.
- Tommy Dunne (Toomevara) – 2001 All-Ireland winning captain and Hurler of the Year.
- Pat Fox (Éire Óg Annacarty) – 1991 Hurler of the Year, known for his skill and accuracy.
- Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh) – 3-time All-Ireland winner, 2016 captain, and versatile midfielder/defender.
- Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields) – Multiple All-Star defender, crucial to the 2016 and 2019 All-Ireland wins.
- John Leahy (Mullinahone) – Iconic forward of the 1990s, won 3 All-Stars.
- Tony Wall (Thurles Sarsfields) – 1958 Texaco Hurler of the Year, key defender of the “Hell’s Kitchen” era.
- Mick Roche (Carrick Davins) – Outstanding midfielder of the 1960s, a cornerstone of the 1960s team.
- Declan Ryan (Clonoulty-Rossmore) – 2-time All-Ireland winner (1989, 1991), key forward for over a decade.
- Cathal Barrett (Holycross-Ballycahill) – Reliable, no-nonsense All-Star defender.
- Mickey “The Rattler” Byrne (Thurles Sarsfields) – Legendary defender from the 1949-1951 three-in-a-row team.
Rugby, Soccer, and Beyond
Rugby thrives through clubs like Nenagh Ormond, which won the All-Ireland League Division 2A in 2018, and Clonmel RFC, competing in the Munster Junior League. Cashel RFC has also built a strong presence, with facilities at Spafield. Ttipperary born rugby internaiotnals include Alan Quinlan, Donnacha Ryan, Tommy O’Donnell, Dorothy Wall, and historic players Paddy Berkery and the Ryan brothers. Rockewell college competes in the Munster schools cup and once had a senior adult team. Eamon de Valera was one of their star players.
In soccer, St Michael’s AFC in Tipperary Town won the FAI Junior Cup in 2014 and 2019, while Clonmel Celtic and Peake Villa contribute to the Tipperary Southern & District League. AI Overview https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/FIFA_WC-qualification_2014_-Austria_vs_Ireland_2013-09-10-_Shane_Long_02.jpg The most prominent Tipperary-born soccer international is striker Shane Long (Gortnahoe), who earned over 80 caps for the Republic of Ireland, scoring 17 goals. Horse racing at Tipperary Racecourse, hosting events since 1916, adds to the county’s sporting diversity, with athletes like Aishling Moloney excelling in athletics.
Olympic gold medalists from Tipperary include Tom Kiely (born in Ballyneale, near Carrick-on-Suir, Decathlon/All-around, St Louis 1904), Johnny Hayes (born in Nenagh Marathon, London 1908) and Robert Tisdall (first generation Nenagh, 400 metres hurdles, Los Angeles 1932). Bronze was won by James Mitchell (born in Bartoose/Emly 56 lb weight throw, St Louis 1904)
Lena Rice from New Inn, was the Wimbledon Women’s Singles Champion: 1890. She is credited with inventing the “overhead smash” and she is the only Irishwoman to win a singles title at Wimbledon.
Key Facilities
Semple Stadium in Thurles, known as the “home of hurling,” hosts major GAA matches and has a capacity of 45,690. Holycross-Ballycahill GAA grounds and Clonmel’s Ned Hall Park support local clubs. Tipperary Racecourse, with its modern grandstand, serves equestrian sports, while the Regional Sports Centre in Nenagh offers facilities for athletics, swimming, and indoor sports.
Prominent Personalities
In hurling, Nicky English led the county to All-Irelands in 1989 and 1991, earning six All-Star awards. Eoin Kelly, with two All-Star awards, captained the 2010 champions. Liam Cahill managed the 2019 All-Ireland win. In football, Michael Hogan, who gave his name to Croke Park’s Hogan Stand, was murdered by English forces on Bloody Sunday. Angela Downey, a camogie legend, starred in Tipperary’s five All-Ireland titles. In rugby, Donal Lenihan, a former Ireland international, played for Nenagh Ormond, while Shane Horgan represented Clonmel RFC. Rachael Blackmore, a jockey, won the Grand National in 2021.
Honours and Years of Success
Tipperary’s hurling team boasts 28 All-Ireland titles (1887–2019), 43 Munster titles (most recently 2016), and 19 National League titles (1949–2018). The footballl team won the 1920 All-Ireland and Munster titles in seven years, including 2020. Camogie All-Irelands were won in 1999–2004. Club honours include Thurles Sarsfields’ 36 hurling titles (latest 2017), Toomevara’s 21 titles (last 2008), and Kiladangan’s 2020 title. Clonmel Commercials secured 19 football titles (latest 2024), with Loughmore-Castleiney winning dual titles in 2021. Nenagh Ormond’s 2018 All-Ireland League title and St Michael’s FAI Junior Cup wins (2014, 2019) add to the tally. Drom & Inch and Burgess-Duharra have multiple camogie titles.
Tipperary’s sporting community continues to thrive, with clubs and facilities nurturing new talent. From the roar of Semple Stadium to the community spirit of local grounds, the county’s love for sport ensures more victories in the years ahead.
Sports in the county
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Tipperary:
Ireland’s county Tipperary offers a mix of historic landmarks and lush countryside, with the Rock of Cashel’s medieval fortress and cathedral providing a stunning hilltop vista. Cahir Castle, one of Ireland’s best-preserved castles, offers historical insights, while the Glen of Aherlow’s walking trails showcase scenic valleys. Other attractions include the historic town of Clonmel and its markets. Tipperary is Ireland’s sixth largest county by size (4,254 square km) and 12th largest by population (167,895). Population peaked at 435,553 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 122,812 in 1966. In terms of hospitality, Tipperary is Ireland’s 14th most visited tourist county with around 168,000 international visitors per year.
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