1990 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship

The 1990 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship was the 104th staging of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, the Gaelic Athletic Association's premier inter-county hurling tournament. The draw for the 1990 provincial fixtures took place in November 1989. The championship began on 13 May 1990 and ended on 2 September 1990.

1990 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship

Championship details
Dates	13 May – 2 September 1990
Teams	15
All-Ireland champions
Winning team	Cork (27th win)
Captain	Tomás Mulcahy
Manager	Michael O'Brien
All-Ireland Finalists
Losing team	Galway
Captain	Joe Cooney
Manager	Cyril Farrell
Provincial champions
Munster	Cork
Leinster	Offaly
Ulster	Antrim
Connacht	Not Played
Championship statistics
No. matches played	14
Goals total	63 (4.5 per game)
Points total	395 (28.21 per game)
Top Scorer	John Fitzgibbon (7-09)
Player of the Year	Tony O'Sullivan
All-Star Team	See here
← 1989 1991 →

Tipperary were the defending champions but were defeated by Cork in the Munster final.^[1][2] London qualified for the championship for the first time in two years.

On 2 September 1990, Cork won the championship following a 5–15 to 2–21 defeat of Galway in the All-Ireland final.^[3] This was their 27th All-Ireland title, their first in four championship seasons.

Cork's John Fitzgibbon was the championship's top scorer with 7-09. Cork's Tony O'Sullivan was the unanimous choice for Hurler of the Year.

Championship draw

As a result of the Republic of Ireland football team qualifying for the 1990 FIFA World Cup, the Munster Council took precautions in avoiding a fixtures clash and a potential loss of revenue by changing the dates and times of their games.

Team changes

To Championship

Promoted from the All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship

• London (qualified)

From Championship

Regraded to the All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship

• Derry
• Kildare
• Westmeath

Teams

Overview

A total of fifteen teams contested the championship, two fewer teams than participated in the 1989 championship.

The Leinster championship was reduced to five teams as Westmeath decided to opt out and field a team in the All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship.

The Ulster championship was reduced to just two teams as Derry also decided to field a team in the lower championship.

General information

Fifteen counties will compete in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship: one team from the Connacht Senior Hurling Championship, five teams in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, six teams in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship, two teams from the Ulster Senior Hurling Championship and one team from the All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship.

County	Last provincial title	Last championship title	Position in 1989 Championship	Current championship
Antrim	1989	—		Ulster Senior Hurling Championship
Clare	1932	1914		Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Cork	1986	1986		Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Down	1942	—		Ulster Senior Hurling Championship
Dublin	1961	1938		Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Galway	1922	1988		Connacht Senior Hurling Championship
Kerry	1891	1891		Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Kilkenny	1987	1983		Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Laois	1949	1915		Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Limerick	1981	1973		Munster Senior Hurling Championship
London	—	1901		All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship
Offaly	1989	1985		Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Tipperary	1989	1989		Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Waterford	1963	1959		Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Wexford	1977	1968		Leinster Senior Hurling Championship

Team summaries

Team	Grounds
Antrim	Casement Park
Clare	Cusack Park
Cork	Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Down	Páirc Esler
Dublin	Parnell Park
Galway	Pearse Stadium
Kerry	Austin Stack Park
Kilkenny	Nowlan Park
Laois	O'Moore Park
Limerick	Gaelic Grounds
London	Emerald GAA Grounds
Offaly	St. Brendan's Park
Tipperary	Semple Stadium
Waterford	Walsh Park
Wexford	Wexford Park

Provincial championships

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship

Main article: Leinster Senior Hurling Championship

Bracket

	Quarter-finals				Semi-finals				Leinster final
					Dublin	2–16
					Wexford	1–17
	Wexford	2–23
	Laois	5–04
									Dublin	2–11
									Offaly	1–19
					Offaly	4–15
					Kilkenny	1–08

Quarter-finals

27 May 1990
Quarter-Final

Wexford	2–23 – 5-04	Laois
J. Holohan (0–12), B. Byrne (0–4), M. Reck (1–0), T. Dempsey (1–0), L. O'Gorman (0–3), L. Dunne (0–1), R. Coleman (0–1).		N. Rigney (2–1), J. Fitzpatrick (2–1), P. J. Cuddy (1–0), P. O'Brien (0–1), O. Coss (0–1).

Nowlan Park, Kilkenny

Referee: P. Long (Kilkenny)

Semi-finals

17 June 1990
Semi-Final

Dublin	2–16 – 1–17	Wexford
B. McMahon (1–3), M. J. Ryan (1–2), K. Hetherton (0–5), S. McDermott (0–2), R. Boland (0–1), S. Kearns (0–1), M. Ryan (0–1), S. Fleming (0–1).		T. Dempsey (1–3), J. O'Connor (0–5), J. Holohan (0–2), G. O'Connor (0–2), M. Storey (0–2), M. Rack (0–1), L. O'Gorman (0–1), B. Byrne (0–1).

Croke Park, Dublin

Referee: P. Delaney (Laois)

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17 June 1990
Semi-Final

Offaly	4–15 – 1-08	Kilkenny
P. Cleary (2–0), D. Owens (1–3), D. Pilkington (0–6), J. Kelly (1–1), J. Pilkington (0–2), M. Duignan (0–2), A. Cahill (0–1).		É. Morrissey (0–4), L. Ryan (1–0), A. Ronan (0–1), L. McCarthy (0–1), D. J. Carey (0–1), M. Phelan (0–1).

Croke Park, Dublin

Referee: J. Denton (Wexford)

Leinster final

8 July 1990
Final

Dublin	2–11 – 1–19	Offaly
S. McDermott (1–2), R. Boland (1–0), B. McMahon (0–3), M. J. Ryan (0–2), S. Dalton (0–1), J. Twomey (0–1), S. Boland (0–1), K. Hetherton (0–1).		M. Corrigan (1–3), D. Pilkington (0–4), P. Cleary (0–3), D. Regan (0–3), D. Owens (0–2), M. Duignan (0–2), J. Kelly (0–1), B. Whelehan (0–1).

Croke Park, Dublin

Attendance: 20,383

Referee: J. Denton (Wexford)

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Munster Senior Hurling Championship

13 May 1990
Quarter-Final

Clare	1–05 – 2–16	Limerick
G. McInerney (1–0), C. Lyons (0–3), M. Nugent (0–1), J. O'Connor (0–1).		G. Kirby (0–7), S. Fitzgibbon (1–3), T. Kenny (1–0), L. O'Connor (0–2), P. Davoren (0–1), C. Carey (0–1), D. Flynn (0–1), A. Carmody (0–1).

Cusack Park, Ennis

Attendance: 13,560

Referee: W. Barrett (Tipperary)

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20 May 1990
Quarter-Final

Kerry	3–07 – 3–16	Cork
C. Walsh (1–2), J. Hennessy (0–4), J. O'Sullivan (1–0), T. Maunsell (1–0), E. Murphy (0–1).		K. Hennessy (2–2), B. O'Sullivan (1–2), M. Foley (0–2), P. Buckley (0–2), S. McCarthy (0–2), K. Kingston (0–2), M. Mullins (0–1), T. McCarthy (0–1), G. FitzGerald (0–1), K. McGuckin (0–1).

Austin Stack Park, Tralee

Referee: M. Quinn (Clare)

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3 June 1990
Semi-Final

Cork	4–15 – 1-08	Waterford
G. FitzGerald (2–3), K. Hennessy (2–3), T. O'Sullivan (0–3), M. Foley (0–2), B. O'Sullivan (0–1), S. McCarthy (0–1), J. Cashman (0–1), P. Buckley (0–1).		D. Henley (1–0), K. Delahunty (0–3), N. Crowley (0–3), S. Aherne (0–1), L. O'Connor (0–1).

Semple Stadium, Thurles

Attendance: 15,970

Referee: T. Murray (Limerick)

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10 June 1990
Semi-Final

Limerick	1–17 – 2–20	Tipperary
G. Kirby (0–8), M. Galligan (1–0), S. Fitzgibbon (0–3), C. Carey (0–2), T. Kenny (0–2), D. Flynn (0–1), M. Reale (0–1).		D. Ryan (1–4), N. English (0–7), D. Ryan (1–0), M. Cleary (0–3), J. Leahy (0–2), P. Fox (0–1), P. Delaney (0–1), D. Carr (0–1), J. Hayes (0–1).

Gaelic Grounds, Limerick

Attendance: 34,402

Referee: W. Horgan (Cork)

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15 July 1990
Final

Tipperary	2–14 – 4–16	Cork
M. Cleary (1–5), N. English (1–4), C. Stakelum (0–2), J. Leahy (0–2), D. Ryan (0–1).		M. Foley (2–7), J. Fitzgibbon (2–0), T. O'Sullivan (0–5), C. Casey (0–1), G. FitzGerald (0–1), K. Hennessy (0–1), D. Quirke (0–1).

Semple Stadium, Thurles

Attendance: 49,782

Referee: J. Moore (Waterford)

Main article: 1990 Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final

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Ulster Senior Hurling Championship

8 July 1990
Final

Antrim	4–11 – 2–11	Down
S. P. McKillop (1–2), O. McFetridge (0–5), N. Murray (1–0), C. Barr (1–0), J. Close (1–0), A. McGuile (0–1), P. McKillen (0–1), B. Donnelly (0–1), A. McCarry (0–1).		P. Savage (2–0), M. Blaney (0–3), B. Coulter (0–2), J. McCarthy (0–2), N. Sands (0–2), M. Ballie (0–1), K. Coulter (0–1).

Casement Park, Belfast

Referee: P. Delaney (Laois)

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All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship

Bracket

Quarter-finals

Semi-finals

Final

Galway

1–23

London

2–11

Offaly

1–16

Galway

2–07

Galway

2–21

Cork

5–15

Cork

2–20

Antrim

1–13

All-Ireland quarter-finals

23 July 1990
Quarter-Final

Galway	1–23 – 2–11	London
J. Cooney (0–9), M. McGrath (1–3), N. Lane (0–3), T. Monaghan (0–3), É. Ryan (0–2), A. Cunningham (0–1), G. Burke (0–1), T. Keady (0–1).		M. Connolly (0–5), J. Murphy (1–0), P. O'Donoghue (1–0), A. Moylan (0–2), P. Lynch (0–1), D. McKenna (0–1), J. Quinn (0–1), W. Carroll (0–1).

Duggan Park, Ballinasloe

Referee: G. McGlory (Antrim)

All-Ireland semi-finals

5 August 1990
Semi-Final

Cork	2–20 – 1–13	Antrim
J. Fitzgibbon (2–2), T. O'Sullivan (0–6), G. FitzGerald (0–5), T. Mulcahy (0–2), J. Cashman (0–1), K. McGuckin (0–1), P. Buckley (0–1), B. O'Sullivan (0–1), K. Hennessy (0–1).		G. Barr (1–2), O. McFetridge (0–4), B. Donnelly (0–4), S. McKillop (0–1), B. Laverty (0–1), P. McKillen (0–1).

Croke Park, Dublin

Attendance: 40,786

Referee: P. Delaney (Laois)

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5 August 1990
Semi-Final

Galway	1–16 – 2-07	Offaly
J. Cooney (0–8), É. Ryan (1–1), M. McGrath (0–4), P. Malone (0–2), M. Coleman (0–1).		P. Corrigan (1–0), D. Owens (1–0), M. Corrigan (0–3), A. Cahill (0–2), M. Duignan (0–1), D. Regan (0–1).

Croke Park, Dublin

Attendance: 40,786

Referee: T. Murray (Limerick)

All-Ireland final

2 September 1990
Final

15:30

Cork	5–15 – 2–21	Galway
J. Fitzgibbon (2–1), K. Hennessy (1–4), T. Mulcahy (1–2), M. Foley (1–1), T. McCarthy (0–3), T. O'Sullivan (0–2), G. FitzGerald (0–1), K. McGuckin (0–1).		J. Cooney (1–7), N. Lane (0–4), M. Naughton (0–4), B. Lynskey (1–0), É. Ryan (0–2), T. Keady (0–1), M. McGrath (0–1), A. Cunningham (0–1), M. Coleman (0–1).

Croke Park, Dublin

Attendance: 63,954

Referee: J. Moore (Waterford)

Main article: 1990 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final

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Championship statistics

Scoring

• First goal of the championship: Shane Fitzgibbon for Limerick against Clare (Munster quarter-final, 13 May 1990)
• Widest winning margin: 16 points
  • Cork 4–15 : 1–8 Waterford (Munster semi-final, 3 June 1990)
  • Offaly 4–15 : 1–8 Kilkenny (Leinster semi-final, 17 June 1990)
• Most goals in a match: 7
  • Wexford 2–23 : 5–4 Laois (Leinster quarter -final, 27 May 1990)
  • Cork 5–15 : 2–21 Galway (All-Ireland final, 2 September 1990)
• Most points in a match: 37
  • Tipperary 2–20 : 1–17 Limerick (Munster semi-final, 10 June 1990)
• Most goals by one team in a match: 5
  • Laois 5–4 : 2–23 Wexford (Leinster quarter -final, 27 May 1990)
  • Cork 5–15 : 2–21 Galway (All-Ireland final, 2 September 1990)
• Most goals scored by a losing team: 5
  • Laois 5–4 : 2–23 Wexford (Leinster quarter -final, 27 May 1990)
• Most points scored by a losing team: 21
  • Galway 2–21 : 5–15 Cork (All-Ireland final, 2 September 1990)

Miscellaneous

• Cork became All Ireland champions in a double and were the first county since Tipperary in 1900 to be both All Ireland Champions in football and hurling 100 years after their first one also Tipperary in 1895, 1900, Cork in 1890 and 1990 were All Ireland football and hurling champions in the same season.

Top scorers

Season

Rank	Player	County	Tally	Total	Matches	Average
1	John Fitzgibbon	Cork	7-09	30	5	6.00
2	Joe Cooney	Galway	1–24	27	3	9.00
3	Kevin Hennessy	Cork	5–11	26	5	5.20
4	Mark Foley	Cork	3–12	21	5	4.20
5	Ger FitzGerald	Cork	2–11	17	5	3.40
6	Tony O'Sullivan	Cork	0–16	16	5	3.20
7	Gary Kirby	Limerick	0–15	15	2	7.50
8	Nicky English	Tipperary	1–11	14	2	7.00
	John Holohan	Wexford	0–14	14	2	7.00
10	Michael Cleary	Tipperary	1-08	11	2	5.50

Single game

Rank	Player	County	Tally	Total	Opposition
1	Mark Foley	Cork	2-07	13	Tipperary
2	John Holohan	Wexford	0–12	12	Laois
3	Joe Cooney	Galway	1-07	10	Cork
4	Ger FitzGerald	Cork	2-03	9	Waterford
	Kevin Hennessy	Cork	2-03	9	Waterford
	Joe Cooney	Galway	0-09	9	London
5	Kevin Hennessy	Cork	2-02	8	Kerry
	John Fitzgibbon	Cork	2-02	8	Antrim
	Michael Cleary	Tipperary	1-05	8	Cork
	Joe Cooney	Galway	0-08	8	Offaly

Broadcasting

The following matches were broadcast live on television in Ireland on RTÉ. In the United Kingdom Channel 4 broadcast live coverage of the All-Ireland final. Highlights of a number of other games were shown on The Sunday Game.

Round	RTÉ	Channel 4
All-Ireland semi-finals	Cork vs Antrim Galway vs Offaly
All-Ireland final	Cork vs Galway	Cork vs Galway

Sources

• Corry, Eoghan, The GAA Book of Lists (Hodder Headline Ireland, 2005).
• Donegan, Des, The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games (DBA Publications Limited, 2005).
• Nolan, Pat, Flashbacks: A Half Century of Cork Hurling (The Collins Press, 2000).
• Sweeney, Éamonn, Munster Hurling Legends (The O'Brien Press, 2002).