Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny) with the Liam MacCarthy Cup, awarded to the winners of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship The Final of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship is the ultimate match in the annual hurling competition organised since 1887 by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Contested by the top hurling teams in Ireland, the tournament has taken place every year, except in 1888, when the competition was not played due to a tour of the United States by would-be competitors. In 2012 the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final was listed in second place by CNN in its "10 sporting events you have to see live", after the Olympic Games and ahead of both the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Football Championship .[1] The most recent All-Ireland Hurling Final was held at Croke Park, Dublin, on 23 July 2023 and saw Limerick beat Kilkenny by 9 points (final score: Limerick 0-30 to Kilkenny: 2-15).
The final, held in the middle of August since the introduction of the new format in 2018, except for 2022 when it was held in the middle of July, serves as the culmination of a series of games played during the summer months, and the results determine which county's team receives the Liam MacCarthy Cup. The Championship was initially a straight knockout competition open only to the champions of each of the four provinces of Ireland. During the 1990s the competition was expanded, firstly incorporating a "back-door system" and later a round-robin group phase involving more games. The Championship currently consists of several stages. In the present format, it begins in late May with provincial championships held in Leinster and Munster . Once a team is defeated in the provincial stage they are granted one more chance to compete for the title. The Munster and Leinster champions gain automatic admission to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-finals, where they are joined by the two winners of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship qualifiers via two lone quarter-finals.
Thirteen teams currently participate in the Championship, the most dominant teams coming from the provinces of Leinster and Munster. Kilkenny, Cork and Tipperary are considered "the big three" of hurling. Between them, these teams have won 94 out of 136 (69%) championships completed during its history. The title has been won by 13 different teams, 10 of which have won the title more than once. The all-time record-holders are Kilkenny, who won their 36th title in 2015 . The current champions are Limerick .
List of finals Year Winners Runner-up Venue Captains Referee County Score County Score Winning captain Losing captain 2023Details Limerick 0-30 (30) Kilkenny 2-15 (21) Croke Park , Dublin Cian Lynch Eoin Cody John Keenan 2022Details Limerick 1-31 (34) Kilkenny 2-26 (32) Croke Park , Dublin Declan Hannon Richie Reid Colm Lyons 2021Details Limerick 3-32 (41) Cork 1-22 (25) Croke Park , Dublin Declan Hannon Patrick Horgan Fergal Horgan 2020Details Limerick 0-30 (30) Waterford 0-19 (19) Croke Park , Dublin Declan Hannon Conor Prunty Fergal Horgan 2019Details Tipperary 3-25 (34) Kilkenny 0-20 (20) Croke Park , Dublin Séamus Callanan TJ Reid James Owens 2018Details Limerick 3-16 (25) Galway 2-18 (24) Croke Park , Dublin Declan Hannon David Burke James Owens 2017Details Galway 0-26 (26) Waterford 2-17 (23) Croke Park , Dublin David Burke Kevin Moran Fergal Horgan 2016Details Tipperary 2-29 (35) Kilkenny 2-20 (26) Croke Park , Dublin Brendan Maher Shane Prendergast Brian Gavin 2015Details Kilkenny 1-22 (25) Galway 1-18 (21) Croke Park , Dublin Joey Holden David Collins James Owens 2014Details Kilkenny 2-17 (23) Tipperary 2-14 (20) Croke Park , Dublin Lester Ryan Brendan Maher Brian Gavin Drawn match Kilkenny 3-22 (31) Tipperary 1-28 (31) Croke Park , Dublin Barry Kelly 2013Details Clare 5-16 (31) Cork 3-16 (25) Croke Park , Dublin Patrick Donnellan Pa Cronin James McGrath Drawn match Clare 0-25 (25) Cork 3-16 (25) Croke Park , Dublin Brian Gavin 2012Details Kilkenny 3-22 (31) Galway 3-11 (20) Croke Park , Dublin Eoin Larkin Fergal Moore James McGrath Drawn match Kilkenny 0-19 (19) Galway 2-13 (19) Croke Park , Dublin Barry Kelly 2011Details Kilkenny 2-17 (23) Tipperary 1-16 (19) Croke Park , Dublin Brian Hogan Eoin Kelly Brian Gavin 2010Details Tipperary 4-17 (29) Kilkenny 1-18 (21) Croke Park , Dublin Eoin Kelly T.J. Reid Michael Wadding 2009Details Kilkenny 2-22 (28) Tipperary 0-23 (23) Croke Park , Dublin Michael Fennelly Willie Ryan Diarmuid Kirwan 2008Details Kilkenny 3-30 (39) Waterford 1-13 (16) Croke Park , Dublin James Fitzpatrick Michael Walsh Barry Kelly 2007Details Kilkenny 2-19 (25) Limerick 1-15 (18) Croke Park , Dublin Henry Shefflin Damien Reale Diarmuid Kirwan 2006Details Kilkenny 1-16 (19) Cork 1-13 (16) Croke Park , Dublin Jackie Tyrrell Pat Mulcahy Barry Kelly 2005Details Cork 1-21 (24) Galway 1-16 (19) Croke Park , Dublin Seán Óg Ó hAilpín Liam Donoghue Seamus Roche 2004Details Cork 0-17 (17) Kilkenny 0-09 (9) Croke Park , Dublin Ben O'Connor Martin Comerford Aodán Mac Suibhne 2003Details Kilkenny 1-14 (17) Cork 1-11 (14) Croke Park , Dublin D.J. Carey Alan Browne Pat O'Connor 2002Details Kilkenny 2-20 (26) Clare 0-19 (19) Croke Park , Dublin Andy Comerford Brian Lohan Aodán Mac Suibhne 2001Details Tipperary 2-18 (24) Galway 2-15 (21) Croke Park , Dublin Tommy Dunne Liam Hodgins Pat O'Connor 2000Details Kilkenny 5-15 (30) Offaly 1-14 (17) Croke Park , Dublin Willie O'Connor Johnny Dooley Willie Barrett 1999Details Cork 0-13 (13) Kilkenny 0-12 (12) Croke Park , Dublin Mark Landers Denis Byrne Pat O'Connor 1998Details Offaly 2-16 (22) Kilkenny 1-13 (16) Croke Park , Dublin Hubert Rigney Tom Hickey Dickie Murphy 1997Details Clare 0-20 (20) Tipperary
2-13 (19) Croke Park , Dublin Anthony Daly Conor Gleeson Dickie Murphy 1996Details Wexford 1-13 (16) Limerick 0-14 (14) Croke Park , Dublin Martin Storey Ciarán Carey Pat Horan 1995Details Clare 1-13 (16) Offaly 2-08 (14) Croke Park , Dublin Anthony Daly Johnny Pilkington Dickie Murphy 1994Details Offaly 3-16 (25) Limerick 2-13 (19) Croke Park , Dublin Martin Hanamy Gary Kirby Willie Barrett 1993Details Kilkenny 2-17 (23) Galway 1-15 (18) Croke Park , Dublin Eddie O'Connor Michael McGrath Terence Murray 1992Details Kilkenny 3-10 (19) Cork 1-12 (15) Croke Park , Dublin Liam Fennelly Ger FitzGerald Dickie Murphy 1991Details Tipperary 1-16 (19) Kilkenny 0-15 (15) Croke Park , Dublin Declan Carr Christy Heffernan Willie Horgan 1990Details Cork 5-15 (30) Galway 2-21 (27) Croke Park , Dublin Tomás Mulcahy Joe Cooney John Moore 1989Details Tipperary 4-24 (36) Antrim 3-09 (15) Croke Park , Dublin Bobby Ryan Ciarán Barr P Delaney 1988Details Galway 1-15 (18) Tipperary 0-14 (14) Croke Park , Dublin Conor Hayes Nicky English G Kirwan 1987Details Galway 1-12 (15) Kilkenny 0-09 (9) Croke Park , Dublin Conor Hayes Paddy Prendergast Terence Murray 1986Details Cork 4-13 (25) Galway 2-15 (21) Croke Park , Dublin Tom Cashman Noel Lane John F Bailey 1985Details Offaly 2-11 (17) Galway 1-12 (15) Croke Park , Dublin Pat Fleury Michael Connolly George Ryan 1984Details Cork 3-16 (25) Offaly 1-12 (15) Semple Stadium , Thurles John Fenton Pat Fleury Paschal Long 1983Details Kilkenny 2-14 (20) Cork 2-12 (18) Croke Park , Dublin Liam Fennelly Jimmy Barry-Murphy Neil Duggan 1982Details Kilkenny 3-18 (27) Cork 1-13 (16) Croke Park , Dublin Brian Cody Jimmy Barry-Murphy Noel O'Donoghue 1981Details Offaly 2-12 (18) Galway 0-15 (15) Croke Park , Dublin Pádraig Horan Seán Silke Frank Murphy 1980Details Galway 2-15 (21) Limerick 3-09 (18) Croke Park , Dublin Joe Connolly Seán Foley Noel O'Donoghue 1979Details Kilkenny 2-12 (18) Galway 1-08 (11) Croke Park , Dublin Ger Fennelly Joe McDonagh George Ryan 1978Details Cork 1-15 (18) Kilkenny 2-08 (14) Croke Park , Dublin Charlie McCarthy Ger Henderson Jimmy Rankin 1977Details Cork 1-17 (20) Wexford 3-08 (17) Croke Park , Dublin Martin O'Doherty Tony Doran S. O'Grady 1976Details Cork 2-21 (27) Wexford 4-11 (23) Croke Park , Dublin Ray Cummins Tony Doran Paddy Johnson 19752 Details Kilkenny 2-22 (28) Galway 2-10 (16) Croke Park , Dublin Billy Fitzpatrick John Connolly Seán O'Connor 1974Details Kilkenny 3-19 (28) Limerick 1-13 (16) Croke Park , Dublin Nicky Orr Seán Foley John Moloney 1973Details Limerick 1-21 (24) Kilkenny 1-14 (17) Croke Park , Dublin Éamonn Grimes Pat Delaney Mick Slattery 1972Details Kilkenny 3-24 (33) Cork 5-11 (26) Croke Park , Dublin Noel Skehan Frank Norberg Mick Spain 1971Details Tipperary 5-17 (32) Kilkenny 5-14 (29) Croke Park , Dublin Tadhg O'Connor Pat Henderson Frank Murphy 19703 Details Cork 6-21 (39) Wexford 5-10 (25) Croke Park , Dublin Paddy Barry Michael Collins Jimmy Hatton 1969Details Kilkenny 2-15 (21) Cork 2-09 (15) Croke Park , Dublin Eddie Keher Denis Murphy 1968Details Wexford 5-08 (23) Tipperary 3-12 (21) Croke Park , Dublin Dan Quigley Mick Roche 1967Details Kilkenny 3-08 (17) Tipperary 2-07 (13) Croke Park , Dublin Jim Treacy Mick Roche 1966Details Cork 3-09 (18) Kilkenny 1-10 (13) Croke Park , Dublin Gerald McCarthy Jim Lynch 1965Details Tipperary 2-16 (22) Wexford 0-10 (10) Croke Park , Dublin Jimmy Doyle Tom Neville 1964Details Tipperary 5-13 (28) Kilkenny 2-08 (14) Croke Park , Dublin Mick Murphy Seán Buckley 1963Details Kilkenny 4-17 (29) Waterford 6-08 (26) Croke Park , Dublin Séamus Cleere Joe Condon 1962Details Tipperary 3-10 (19) Wexford 2-11 (17) Croke Park , Dublin Jimmy Doyle Billy Rackard 1961Details Tipperary 0-16 (16) Dublin 1-12 (15) Croke Park , Dublin Matt Hassett Noel Drumgoole 1960Details Wexford 2-15 (21) Tipperary 0-11 (11) Croke Park , Dublin Nick O'Donnell Tony Wall 1959Details Waterford 3-12 (21) Kilkenny 1-10 (13) Croke Park , Dublin Frankie Walsh Seán Clohessey Drawn match Waterford 1-17 (20) Kilkenny 5-05 (20) Croke Park , Dublin 1958Details Tipperary 4-09 (21) Galway 2-05 (11) Croke Park , Dublin Tony Wall Seán Cullinane 1957Details Kilkenny 4-10 (22) Waterford 3-12 (21) Croke Park , Dublin Mickey Kelly Phil Grimes 1956Details Wexford 2-14 (20) Cork 2-08 (14) Croke Park , Dublin Jim English Tony O'Shaughnessy 1955Details Wexford 3-13 (22) Galway 2-08 (14) Croke Park , Dublin Nick O'Donnell Jimmy Duggan 1954Details Cork 1-09 (12) Wexford 1-06 (9) Croke Park , Dublin Christy Ring Padge Kehoe 1953Details Cork 3-03 (12) Galway 0-08 (8) Croke Park , Dublin Christy Ring Mick Burke 1952Details Cork 2-14 (20) Dublin 0-07 (7) Croke Park , Dublin Paddy Barry Jim Prior 1951Details Tipperary 7-07 (28) Wexford 3-09 (18) Croke Park , Dublin Jimmy Finn Nicky Rackard 1950Details Tipperary 1-09 (12) Kilkenny 1-08 (11) Croke Park , Dublin Seán Kenny Mick Kenny 1949Details Tipperary 3-11 (20) Laois 0-03 (3) Croke Park , Dublin Pat Stakelum Paddy Ruschitzko 1948Details Waterford 6-07 (25) Dublin 4-02 (14) Croke Park , Dublin Jim Ware Frank Cummins 1947Details Kilkenny 0-14 (14) Cork 2-07 (13) Croke Park , Dublin Dan Kennedy Seán Condon 1946Details Cork 7-05 (26) Kilkenny 3-08 (17) Croke Park , Dublin Christy Ring Jack Mulcahy 1945Details Tipperary 5-06 (21) Kilkenny 3-06 (15) Croke Park , Dublin John Maher Peter Blanchfield 1944Details Cork 2-13 (19) Dublin 1-02 (5) Croke Park , Dublin Seán Condon Mick Butler 1943Details Cork 5-16 (31) Antrim 0-04 (4) Croke Park , Dublin Mick Kennefick Jimmy Walsh 1942Details Cork 2-14 (20) Dublin 3-04 (13) Croke Park , Dublin Jack Lynch Frank White 1941Details Cork 5-11 (26) Dublin 0-06 (6) Croke Park , Dublin Connie Buckley Eddie Wade 1940Details Limerick 3-07 (16) Kilkenny 1-07 (10) Croke Park , Dublin Mick Mackey Jim Langton 1939Details Kilkenny 2-07 (13) Cork 3-03 (9) Croke Park , Dublin Jimmy Walsh Jack Lynch 1938Details Dublin 2-05 (11) Waterford 1-06 (9) Croke Park , Dublin Mick Daniels Mick Hickey 1937Details Tipperary 3-11 (20) Kilkenny 0-03 (3) FitzGerald Stadium , Killarney Jimmy Lanigan Jack Duggan 1936Details Limerick 5-06 (21) Kilkenny 1-05 (8) Croke Park , Dublin Mick Mackey Paddy Larkin 1935Details Kilkenny 2-05 (11) Limerick 2-04 (10) Croke Park , Dublin Lory Meagher Timmy Ryan 1934Details Limerick 3-04 (13) Dublin 2-06 (12) Croke Park , Dublin Timmy Ryan Stephen Feeny Drawn match Limerick 2-07 (13) Dublin 3-04 (13) Croke Park , Dublin 1933Details Kilkenny 1-07 (10) Limerick 0-06 (6) Croke Park , Dublin Ned Doyle Micky Fitzgibbon 1932Details Kilkenny 3-03 (12) Clare 2-03 (9) Croke Park , Dublin Jimmy Walsh John Joe 'Goggles' Doyle 1931Details Cork 5-08 (23) Kilkenny 3-04 (13) Croke Park , Dublin Eudie Coughlan Lory Meagher 1930Details Tipperary 2-07 (13) Dublin 1-03 (6) Croke Park , Dublin John Joe Callinan Jimmy Walsh 1929Details Cork 4-09 (21) Galway 1-03 (6) Croke Park , Dublin Dinny Barry-Murphy Junior Mahony 1928Details Cork 6-12 (28) Galway 1-00 (3) Croke Park , Dublin Seán Óg Murphy Jim Power 1927Details Dublin 4-08 (20) Cork 1-03 (6) Croke Park , Dublin Mick Gill Seán Óg Murphy 1926Details Cork 4-06 (18) Kilkenny 2-00 (6) Croke Park , Dublin Seán Óg Murphy Richard Grace 1925Details Tipperary 5-06 (21) Galway 1-05 (8) Croke Park , Dublin Johnny Leahy Andy Kelly 1924Details Dublin 5-03 (18) Galway 2-06 (12) Croke Park , Dublin Frank Wall Mick Kenny 1923Details Galway 7-03 (24) Limerick 4-05 (17) Croke Park , Dublin Mick Kenny Paddy McInerney 1922Details Kilkenny 5-03 (18) Tipperary 2-06 (12) Croke Park , Dublin Wattie Dunphy Johnny Leahy 1921Details Limerick 8-05 (29) Dublin 3-02 (11) Croke Park , Dublin Bob McConkey Bob Mockler 1920Details Dublin 4-09 (21) Cork 4-03 (15) Croke Park , Dublin Bob Mockler Dick O'Gorman 1919Details Cork 6-04 (22) Dublin 2-04 (10) Croke Park , Dublin Jimmy Kennedy Charlie Stuart 1918Details Limerick 9-05 (32) Wexford 1-03 (6) Croke Park , Dublin Willie Hough Mike Cummins 1917Details Dublin 5-04 (19) Tipperary 4-02 (14) Croke Park , Dublin John Ryan Johnny Leahy 1916Details Tipperary 5-04 (19) Kilkenny 3-02 (11) Croke Park , Dublin Johnny Leahy Sim Walton 1915Details Laois 6-02 (20) Cork 4-01 (13) Croke Park , Dublin Jack Finlay Connie Sheehan 1914Details Clare 5-01 Laois 1-00 Croke Park , Dublin Amby Power Jack Carroll 1913Details Kilkenny 2-04 Tipperary 1-02 Jones' Road , Dublin Dick Walsh Patrick 'Wedger' Meagher 1912Details Kilkenny 2-01 (7) Cork 1-03 (6) Jones' Road , Dublin Sim Walton Barry Murphy 1911 [a] Details Kilkenny 3-03 (12) Tipperary 1-01 (4) Fraher Field , Dungarvan Sim Walton 1910Details Wexford (Shelmaliers) 7-00 (21) Limerick 6-02 (20) Jones' Road , Dublin Dick Doyle John "Tyler" Mackey 1909Details Kilkenny 4-06 (18) Tipperary 0-12 (12) Cork Athletic Grounds Dick Walsh Tom Semple 1908Details Tipperary 2-05 (11) Dublin 1-08 (11) Croke Park , Dublin Tipperary 3-15 (24) Dublin 1-05 (8) Geraldine Park , Athy Tom Semple Jack Grace 1907Details Kilkenny 3-12 (21) Cork 4-08 (20) Fraher Field , Dungarvan Dick Walsh Jamesy Kelleher 1906Details Tipperary 3-16 (25) Dublin 3-08 (17) Kilkenny Tom Semple Danny McCormack 1905[b] Details Cork 5-10 (25) Kilkenny 3-12 (21) Fraher Field , Dungarvan Kilkenny 7-07 (28) Cork 2-09 (15) Tipperary D.J. Stapleton Christy Young 1904Details Kilkenny 1-09 (12) Cork 1-08 (11) Carrick-on-Suir Jer Doheny Dan Harrington 1903Details Cork 3-16 (25) London 1-01 (4) Fraher Field , Dungarvan Steva Riordan Paddy King 1902Details Cork 3-13 (22) London 0-00 (0) Cork Athletic Grounds , Cork Jamesy Kelleher Jim Nestor 1901Details London 1-05 (8) Cork 0-04 (4) Jones' Road Jack Coughlan Paddy Cantillon 1900Details Tipperary 3-13 (22) London 0-06 (6) Jones' Road Ned Hayes Dan Horgan 1899[c] Details Tipperary 3-12 (21) Wexford 1-04 (7) Jones' Road Tom Condon James Furlong 1898Details Tipperary 7-13 (34) Kilkenny 3-10 (19) Jones' Road Mikey Maher Ned Hennessy 1897Details Limerick 3-04 (13) Kilkenny 2-04 (10) Jones' Road Denis Grimes Jackie Walsh 1896Details Tipperary 8-14 (38) Dublin 0-04 (4) Jones' Road Mikey Maher Pat Buckley 1895Details Tipperary 6-08 (26) Kilkenny 1-00 (3) Jones' Road Mikey Maher James Grace 1894Details Cork 5-20 (35) Dublin 2-00 (6) Clonturk Park , Drumcondra Stephen Hayes John McCabe 1893Details Cork 6-08 (26) Kilkenny 0-02 (2) Phoenix Park John 'Curtis' Murphy Dan Whelan 1892[d] Details Cork 2-04 (10) Dublin 1-01 (4) Clonturk Park , Drumcondra Bill O'Callaghan Pat Egan 1891Details Kerry (Ballyduff) 2-03 (9) Wexford (Crossabeg) 1-05 (8) Clonturk Park , Drumcondra John Mahony Nick Daly 1890[e] Details Cork (Aghabullogue) 1-06 (9) Wexford (Castlebridge) 2-02 (8) Clonturk Park , Drumcondra Dan Lane Nick Daly 1889Details Dublin (Kickhams) 5-04 (19) [2] Clare (Tulla) 1-06 (9) Pond Field, Inchicore Nicholas O'Shea John Considine 1888[f] Not Played Due to the "American Invasion Tour" Cork 0-0 Kilkenny 0-0 1887Details Tipperary (Thurles) 1-01 (4) Galway (Meelick) 0-00 (0) Birr Sportsfield , Birr Jim Stapleton Pat Madden
a. ^ Limerick refused to play in Thurles after the original fixture on 18 February 1911 in Cork was postponed owing to the state of pitch. Kilkenny were awarded the All-Ireland title. Tipperary were nominated to play in the All-Ireland final in their absence.b. ^ A refixture of the All-Ireland Final was needed following an objection and a counter-objection.c. ^ The 1899 final was left unfinished with Tipperary being awarded the title.d. ^ Dublin withdrew from the field with ten minutes remaining. after Cork were awarded a disputed goal. Cork were awarded the title.e. ^ Cork withdrew from the field in protest at rough play by the Wexford team. Cork were awarded the title.f. ^ The 1888 Championship was unfinished owing to a tour of the United States by hurlers, footballers and athletes.
1997 was the first All-Ireland Hurling Final where the two competing teams came from the same province . 1975 was the first 70-minute All-Ireland Hurling Final. 1970 was the first 80-minute All-Ireland Hurling Final. A refixture of the All-Ireland Final was needed following an objection and a counter objection. The 1892 final was left unfinished with Cork being awarded the title. The 1890 final was left unfinished with Cork being awarded the title. See also References ^ Donnelly, Shawn (2 April 2012). "10 sporting events you have to see live: Because the real glory of athletic competition is being able to say, "I was there!" ". CNN . Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2012 . ^ Sport Newspaper, Dublin, 9 November 1889, National Library of Ireland Pre-1923
Beginning of Liam MacCarthy
80-minute experiment
Post-experiment
'Back-door' era
Associated competitions Statistics and awards