For the first time since 1960, Cork and Tipperary will meet in a National Hurling League final after the Rebels beat Galway 4-22 to 0-22. Patrick Horgan played a huge role in the win.
Both sides will be looking to end their National League drought. Cork hasn’t won the cup since 1998, while Tipp hasn’t lifted it since 2008.
More historic feats were broken on the night when Patrick Horgan became the National Hurling League top scorer, breaking a record that was held by Kilkenny great Eddie Keher, who played his last league campaign in 1977.
A historic point for Patrick Horgan as he breaks Eddie Keher's all-time national league scoring record
📱 Updates - https://t.co/bAC0cmT0SL
📺 Watch live - https://t.co/AKAre5Gf3l pic.twitter.com/myjskQ9OmB— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) March 22, 2025
Speaking to RTÉ after the game, Horgan didn’t believe Joanne Cantwell when she told him the news.
"Oh," Horgan responded "Aww, I didn’t know that, but now that’s nice."
Joe Canning protested, but Hoggy seemed genuine.
"It's hard to think about. I suppose I will think about it more when I stop playing. It’s nice to have, especially when you're training every second night with the lads. With everyone going so well on the panel, it's just about getting your position.
"It’s a part of our game. We are a very unselfish team. We always look for the man in the better position."
"I didn't know that now..."
Patrick Horgan is taking the fact that he's broken the National Hurling League scoring record in his stride
📱 Cork v Galway recap - https://t.co/bAC0cmT0SL pic.twitter.com/xwfmu3ntBA— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) March 22, 2025
After scoring 10 goals in their last two league games, Pat Ryan’s side will be favourites, but Horgan played down their chances and expects another tough encounter with Tipp after they lost to them only a few weeks ago.
“Look, we're in the final now with Tipp,” Horgan said.
"The previous game up in Thurles was a great one. People have put us up there with the teams that have won stuff over the years. The difference is we haven’t won anything. We have been competitive, but getting something on the table is nice. The only team to beat us so far in the league is Tipp their flying was not going to be bad, so it should be a good final, something to look forward to
We probably have the best support in the country. Anytime there's a game down here, it's jammed full of a great atmosphere. They are important to the team and drive us on as well."
The Cork v Tipp trilogy for 2025 is on the cards now, as the sides will meet in their second round of the Munster championship a few weeks after the league.
