This hurling championship is the 25th since the abolition of the purely knock-out format that had been in use for over a century. Since 1997, when defeated provincial finalists were allowed to enter the All-Ireland at quarter-final stage, it has been possible for counties from the same province to meet in the All-Ireland final.
In just under two weeks, champions Limerick and Cork become the eighth and latest example of this local rivalry expressed at national level. It is the fourth all-Munster pairing. By contrast Leinster have provided two separate pairings, which have met twice in a final.
Here is how these renewals rate as spectacles . . .
1. 2013
Clare 0-25, Cork 3-16; Clare 5-16, Cork 3-16
A final pairing that turned out two matches of such excitement and atmosphere that it attracted an editorial in UK broadsheet, the Guardian. Cork had beaten their opponents in the Munster semi-final but Clare caught a wave in qualifiers to the extent of beating provincial champions Limerick in the All-Ireland semi-final.
This is an outlier of a final in that neither county was provincial champions. It was marked by a dramatic equaliser by Domhnall O’Donovan in the last seconds of a generous injury-time after Patrick Horgan had scored what looked for a few seconds like the greatest winning point ever struck, surrounded by defenders.
The replay, the only hurling final decided on a Saturday, went down in history for a first-half hat-trick scored by the teenaged Shane O’Donnell, as David Fitzgerald’s team won the Liam MacCarthy.
2. 1997
Clare 0-20, Tipperary 2-13
This was a re-run of the Munster final, won by a late goal from David Forde for Clare. A second meeting with Tipp was unexpected given the general view - and appetite - to see champions Wexford take on Ger Loughnane’s side but Tipperary had other ideas.
It was an intense struggle, which Clare had to win twice. Leading by five with less than quarter of an hour to go, they found themselves one behind with three minutes left after a Eugene O’Neill goal. Ollie Baker levelled immediately and Hurler of the Year-elect Jamesie O’Connor flashed over the winner with just a minute to go.
3. 2012
Kilkenny 0-19, Galway 2-13; Kilkenny 3-22, Galway 3-11
The background to this was a sensational Leinster final performance by Galway in dethroning seven-times champions Kilkenny. They also looked on course to win this, five ahead at half-time but by the end they trailed 2-12 to 0-19. A late free was iced by Joe Canning from a difficult position to force a first replay since 1959.
That replay was a one-way process as Brian Cody made one of his trademark changes and introduced a young Walter Walsh who obliged with 1-3 and in so doing, helped Henry Shefflin achieve an immortal ninth medal.
4. 1998
Offaly 2-16, Kilkenny 1-13
This was also an overturning of a provincial final earlier in the summer. It was achieved by the dramatic switch of Brian Whelahan, who after illness, wasn’t prospering at right back, to full forward where he ignited immediately and ended up with 1-6.
It had been a dramatic season with Babs Keating losing his job as Offaly manager after the Leinster final and new appointment Michael Bond leading the team to an epic three-match semi-final win over champions Clare.
When delegates gathered in Rosslare that October to pass judgement on the new championship format, Offaly stuck to their guns and voted against the structure that had facilitated their All-Ireland victory.
5. 2015
Kilkenny 1-22, Galway 1-18
“See you in September,” was Galway manager Anthony Cunningham’s parting word to Brian Cody after the Leinster final but another glimpse of an All-Ireland for the county was snuffed out by Kilkenny, winning what is to date their most recent All-Ireland. Galway would eventually get there two years later.
6. 2000
Kilkenny 5-15, Offaly 1-14
A second rout of Offaly that summer was their reward for defeating champions Cork in the semi-finals. It marked the first Celtic Cross for both Brian Cody and the rapidly emerging Henry Shefflin.
7. 2020
Limerick 0-30, Waterford 0-19
A powerful display by Limerick in the winter championship of last year crushed a Waterford side, who had been competitive in the Munster final. An empty Croke Park bore witness.
