The Munster Senior Hurling Championship is a highly-regarded tournament that is recognized globally and managed by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association. This event was initially begun in 1888 and is as yet played consistently every year. Munster Senior Hurling Championship | Team Performances.
Beginning of championship
Two teams, filled with highly talented players, compete in the inaugural Munster Championship match. These teams are Cork and Tipperary. It was first played on Sunday, 27 May 1888.
Clare and Cork play in the championship final. It was decided to shift the final to Cork, but Clare refused to play the final in Cork. Hence, the award is given to Cork on Sunday 2 Sept 1888. Every year, except 1908, teams have vigorously competed for the championship title.
Division of the Teams
5 teams participated in this championship. Winning teams receive a Mick Mackey Cup. All six teams have been crowned champions at least once, with five of them securing victory on multiple occasions. Munster Senior Hurling Championship | Team Performances.
Cork is the only team that won the title in 54 events. Limerick emerged as the winners with a narrow margin of 1-23 to 1-22 over Clare in the highly-anticipated final match held in 2023. The tightly contested match saw Limerick’s players put on a display of skill and determination, ultimately securing the win with a well-placed shot in the final minutes of the game.
Sponsorship
The Munster Senior Hurling Championship, a premier hurling competition in Ireland, thrives on sponsorship. Through title sponsorship, brands gain exposure via matches, jerseys, and venue signage. Sponsors capitalize on marketing opportunities, engaging fans through social media and promotional events.
This support fosters community involvement, benefiting local grassroots hurling initiatives. Long-term partnerships ensure stability and continuity, providing sponsors with ongoing brand exposure and benefits. As an integral part of hurling culture, sponsorship elevates the championship’s prestige while contributing to the vibrancy of Munster’s sporting landscape.
Different sponsors have supported all championships, and the Munster Championship, in particular, has had various sponsors since 1995.
- From 1995 to 2007, Guinness sponsored the Munster Championship.
- Session 2008-2009: The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is sponsored by Guinness, Centra and Etihad Airways.
- Session 2010-2012: The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is sponsored by Guinness, Etihad Airways and Centra.
- Session 2013-2016: The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is sponsored by Liberty Insurance, Etihad Airways and Centra.
- Session 2017 to be continued: Centra, Littlewood’s Ireland, and Bord Gais Energy proudly sponsor the Munster GAA Hurling Championship.
Manager of the Championship
The championship manager works daily to ensure their teams perform at their best. They actively participate in training sessions and play a crucial role in the selection of teams. To qualify, they must have won at least two titles. The chairman of Tipperary is Paddy Leahy.
Below is a list of some managers:
- Justin McCarthy, manager of Cork and Waterford, won 6 Titles. He started his winning career in 1975.
- Bertie Troy, manager of Cork, won 5 Titles. He started his winning career in 1975.
- Michael “Babs” Keating, manager of Tipperary, won 5 Titles. The inception of his triumphant career dates back to 1987.
- John Kiely, manager of Limerick, won 5 Titles. He started his winning career in 2019.
- Michael O’Brien, manager of Cork, won 4 Titles. His successful career began in 1984, with an impressive track record of achievements.
- Jim O’Regan, manager of Cork, won 3 Titles. His illustrious career began with a resounding victory back in 1969.
Teams Titles
All teams want to perform in this championship to showcase their talent. Cork has emerged as the most successful team in this championship, having secured a remarkable 54 titles. This achievement reinforces their enduring dominance in the sport. Below are the performances of different teams:
- Cork (54)
- Tipperary (42)
- Limerick (24)
- Waterford (9)
- Clare (6)
Cork (54)
Cork’s ongoing GAA peak depends on the conventional representation of Cork City. The Cork county recovered their Munster Title crown in 1982. They won 54 Munster championship titles, and they registered their winning titles in 1888. They were runner-up 30 times.
Cork County colors are red and white. You should know that there are only a few double counties in Ireland that excel in both football and hurling. And one of them is a top contender in both sports!
Hurling is a very popular game in the eastern part of Cork. Teams such as Sarsfields and Midleton have won the club title on several occasions. It’s always exciting to see who will come out on top in this thrilling sport! It was the first of five Munster titles in succession.
Tipperary (42)
Tipperary has a proud and revered place in the history of the GAA, having played a pivotal role in the establishment of the association on 1 November 1884 at Hayes’ Hotel. They won 42 Munster championship titles, and they registered their winning titles in 1895. The Tipperary were runner-up 28 times.
Eoin Kelly from the Mullinahone club is the manager of the Tipperary team and the first captain of the team. In the starting days, the Tipperary didn’t have an authority shirt at the beginning of the GAA. Their colors have changed to blue and gold.
The club that won the previous Tipperary Senior Hurling Titles is the captain of the Tipperary Senior Hurling County teams for each season.
Limerick (24)
Limerick is a county in Ireland that has a responsibility for the promotion and regulation of Gaelic games through the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). The GAA, an Irish sporting organization, dedicates itself to preserving. The Limerick team brought home four consecutive Munster championships and stays the only team other than Cork to have done as such.
The team in question has secured a total of 24 championship titles in the Munster region, with their first victory being recorded in the year 1897. They were runner-up 27 times.
Waterford (9)
They established the Waterford GAA board in 1886. It includes various sports like hurling, football, and handball on this board. In 1888, they participated in their debut game of the Munster title but unfortunately lost to Cork. Their jersey colors are white and blue.
They won 9 Munster championship titles, and they registered their winning titles in 1938. They were runner-up 21 times.
Clare (6)
Clare emerged victorious in the Munster hurling championship of 1998, clinching the title in a well-fought battle. The county won its first title in 1889. It won its second championship by defeating Cork 3-2. The individual responsible for overseeing the operations of Clare is Davy Fitzgerald, who assumed the role of manager in the year 2012.
Clare also performed in different titles of hurling and also performed in football. Their jersey colors are saffron and blue. Clare earned the nickname “The Banner.”
They won 6 Munster championship titles, and they registered their winning titles in 1889. They were runner-up 24 times.