…and the hay saved.
The 2025 Senior Hurling All-Ireland Final, was one of those special ones, particularly from the perspective of the Tipperary hurling family. Cork went into this game raging favourites, and to most of the pundits, the result was a forgone conclusion. However, it was not to be, and a magnificent Tipperary performance, showed us all why sport, and the game of hurling in particular, is one of the best spectacles on the planet. There is no winter in Tipperary this year.
If ever I wanted to celebrate a sporting event in paint, this was it. The sheer drama and unpredictability of the game called for so much to be included on the canvas.
Liam Cahill is illustrated top left, looking across at the other ‘Liam’. I wanted to feature him strongly, as he led his charges to the success against all the odds. Darragh McCarthy, with his now famous free-taking (and penalty-taking) stance is bottom left. John McGrath’s first goal, is the main action image, bottom centre, and his second goal, the airborne flick to the net, is top right corner. Ronan Maher, the Captain, celebrates with the ‘Liam McCarthy’, bottom right. Rhys Shelly, saves the penalty, (to Maher’s left), with the penalty foul on McGrath, over on the left (bottom). Those are the main action images, and every single player from the game, subs, and all others on the panel, with the backroom staff are included in the Painting/Print.