Bringing hurling to the masses is a role that Tipperary embrace and on Friday, manager Liam Cahill, three of his 2025 All-Ireland winners and the Liam MacCarthy Cup are Belfast to meet young fans.
Bringing hurling to the masses is a role that Tipperary embrace, and on Friday manager Liam Cahill and three of his 2025 All-Ireland winners brought the Liam MacCarthy Cup to Belfast for what was described as a "spectacular" day.
The Premier County boss was flanked by midfielder Willie Connors, goalkeeper Rhys Shelly and Young Hurler of the Year Darragh McCarthy - who scored 1-13 in July's All-Ireland final victory over Cork - as they toured schools in the city and met young fans.
A bond between Tipperary and Antrim has grown over the years, beginning with the Munster county's All-Ireland final victory over the Saffrons in 1989.
Since then, there have been competitive fixtures and challenge games played in Belfast including a 2017 match in memory of the late Fr Alec Reid, who grew up in Nenagh and played hurling for Tipperary's minors before his journey as a priest took him to Clonard Monastery in west Belfast.
Speaking at St Gerard's school in the west of the city, Cahill acknowledged the bond that exists between the counties and reaffirmed the desire to support the development of the sport.
"The energy and enthusiasm in Belfast and Antrim is always to the fore, but to see the kids here today in their club colours is spectacular," he told BBC Sport NI.
"It's not lost on us in Tipperary with the connections we have here in Antrim, going back many years. The famous '89 All-Ireland final - the rapport between Tipp and Antrim really grew after that period.
"The club scene in Antrim has always been to the fore with the representation in All-Ireland club semi-finals and finals down through the years.
"Although it's a work in progress, we're always aware about giving our support to counties like Antrim and others in Ulster, so we're delighted to be able to do that."
'McCarthy's resilience a testament to one so young'
Tipperary were viewed in some quarters as a work in progress at the beginning of 2025, but throughout this year's championship, they built steadily before reaching a glorious crescendo with the county's 29th All-Ireland title.
It was a year in which many of Cahill's emerging stars came of age, none more so than McCarthy who finished as Division 1A's top scorer in the National League.
A red card in the opening minute against Cork in the Munster Championship was a blow for the then 19-year-old, but he bounced back superbly to produce the goods in the All-Ireland final rematch against the Rebels.
"Darragh is a really resilient young man," Cahill said of the 20-year-old.
"He came up through all of the underage grades in Tipperary and from a renowned club in Toomevara where they love their hurling.
"It's no surprise to me Darragh came through the year with a really strong finish and what a way to build character in one so young to come through the year he's had with Young Hurler of the Year, so it's a testament to him.
"The future is bright for him, but the challenges will come and we all know that in Tipperary as 2026 looms."
That All-Ireland final win was broadcast live on BBC Two throughout the UK for the second-straight year and was also available on the BBC iPlayer and website.
It was part of an agreement which began in 2023 where the All-Ireland semi-finals and finals are broadcast by the BBC and the partnership will continue into 2026 with Cahill acknowledging the importance of attracting new fans.
"It's really important to cast our game to the international audience and it's a real credit to BBC Northern Ireland for the coverage they've given our games over the past number of years.
"How better to do it than to get out on the airways and on screens throughout Northern Ireland and beyond."
Category: General Sports
