1995 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship

In 1994 Bank of Ireland became the first ever sponsor of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. Following the success of this deal it was decided that the hurling championship could also benefit from sponsorship. The decision, however, to award the sponsorship deal to Guinness was a controversial one, as there were concerns over the Gaelic Athletic Association's association with an alcoholic drinks company. Former President of the GAA, Dr. Mick Loftus, was one of the most vocal critics of the proposed sponsorship deal. At a meeting of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Central Council on 6 May, the decision to make Guinness the sponsor was accepted almost unanimously. The sponsorship deal involved Guinness providing £3 million to the GAA over three years. £500,000 of this money would go to funding the championship, while a similar amount would go to the marketing and promotion of the game.

Prior to the opening of the championship former All-Ireland-winning journalists Seán Moran and Tom Humphries gave their predictions for the upcoming championship in The Irish Times. Kilkenny were regarded as the strongest contenders for All-Ireland glory in 1995. They were the reigning National Hurling League champions and had won back-to-back championship titles from three successive final appearances between 1991 and 1993. Offaly, in spite of being reigning All-Ireland champions, were placed second to Kilkenny in the championship stakes. They faced a more difficult passage through the provincial series, however, an anticipated Leinster final meeting with Kilkenny was the only thing stopping the team from making it two-in-a-row. Following the trauma of their All-Ireland defeat the previous year, Limerick were still regarded as the brightest prospect in Munster. They were given the nod to retain their provincial crown and challenge, once again, for the All-Ireland title.

Promoted from the All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship

• London (qualified)

Regraded to the All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship

• Wicklow

Quarter-final: (2 matches) These are two lone matches between the first four teams drawn from the province of Munster. Two teams are eliminated at this stage, while two teams advance to the next round.

Semi-finals: (2 matches) The winners of the two quarter-finals join the other two Munster teams to make up the semi-final pairings. Two teams are eliminated at this stage, while two teams advance to the next round.

Final: (1 match) The winners of the two semi-finals contest this game. One team is eliminated at this stage, while the winners advance to the All-Ireland semi-final.

First round: (1 match) This is a single match between two 'weaker' teams drawn from the province of Leinster. One team is eliminated at this stage, while the winners advance to the second round.

Second Round: (1 match) The winner of the first round play another 'weaker' team. One team is eliminated at this stage, while the winners advance to the Leinster quarter-final.

Quarter-finals: (2 matches) The winner of the second-round game joins three other Leinster teams to make up the two quarter-final pairings. Two teams are eliminated at this stage, while two teams advance to the Leinster semi-finals.

Semi-finals: (2 matches) The winners of the two quarter-finals join two other Leinster teams to make up the semi-final pairings. Two teams are eliminated at this stage, while two teams advance to the Leinster final.

Final: (1 match) The winner of the two semi-finals contest this game. One team is eliminated at this stage, while the winners advance to the All-Ireland semi-final.

Final: (1 match) This is a lone match between the two competing Ulster teams. One team is eliminated at this stage, while the winners advance to the All-Ireland quarter-final.

Final: (1 match) This is a lone match between the two competing Connacht teams. One team is eliminated at this stage, while the winners advance to the All-Ireland semi-final where the play the Munster champions.

Quarter-final: (1 match) This is a lone match between the Ulster champions and the All-Ireland 'B' champions. One team is eliminated at this stage, while the winners advance to the All-Ireland semi-final where they play the Leinster champions.

Semi-finals: (2 matches) The Munster and Leinster champions will play the winners of the lone quarter-final and the Connacht champions. Two teams are eliminated at this stage, while the two winners advance to the All-Ireland final.

Final: (1 match) The two semi-final winners will contest the final.

{{footballbox

|date=July 16
Final

|team1=Roscommon

|score=2-12 – 2-21

|team2=Galway

|report=

|goals1= P. Feeney (1-1), T. Killian (1-0), C. Kelly (0-3), N. Cunniffe (0-2), J. Mannion (0-2), B. Boyle (0-1), R. Dooley (0-1), L. Murray (0-1), A. Kelly (0-1).

|goals2= J. Cooney (1-4), J. Campbell (1-1), F. Forde (0-4), P. Kelly (0-3), M. McGrath (0-2), C. Moran (0-2), J. Rabbitte (0-2), O. Fahy (0-1), B. Keogh (0-1), M. Coleman (0-1),

|stadium=Dr. Hyde Park, Roscommon

|attendance=

|referee= P. Delaney (Laois)

}}

----

{{3TeamBracket|RD1-seed1=|RD1-team1=File:Colours of Meath GAA.svg Meath|RD1-score1=1-13|RD1-seed2=|RD1-team2=File:Colours of Carlow.svg Carlow|RD1-score2=2-11|RD2-seed1=|RD2-team1=File:Colours of Carlow.svg Carlow|RD2-score1=3-14|RD2-seed2=|RD2-team2=File:Colours of Westmeath.svg Westmeath|RD2-score2=6-06|team-width=50}}{{8TeamBracket-Compact-NoSeeds-Byes|RD1=Quarter-finals|RD2-team1=File:Colours of Offaly.svg Offaly|RD3-team2=File:Colours of Kilkenny.svg Kilkenny|RD3-score1=2-16|RD3-team1=File:Colours of Offaly.svg Offaly|RD2-score4=2-10|RD2-team4=File:Colours of Dublin.svg Dublin|RD2-score3=4-13|RD2-team3=File:Colours of Kilkenny.svg Kilkenny|RD2-score2=1-10|RD2-team2=File:Colours of Wexford.svg Wexford|RD2-score1=2-14|RD1-score8=2-12|RD2=Semi-finals|RD1-team8=File:Colours of Laois.svg Laois|RD1-score7=2-14|RD1-team7=File:Colours of Kilkenny.svg Kilkenny|RD1-score2=1-07|RD1-team2=File:Colours of Westmeath.svg Westmeath|RD1-score1=6-23|RD1-team1=File:Colours of Wexford.svg Wexford|score-width=35|team-width=100|RD3=Final|RD3-score2=2-05}}{{footballbox

|date=April 30
First Round

|team1=Meath

|score=1-13 – 2-11

|team2=Carlow

|report=

|goals1= P. Potterton (0-7), D. Martin (1-3), J. Andrews (0-1), B. Murray (0-1), M. Cole (0-1).

|goals2= M. Slye (1-4), J. Byrne (1-0), M. Farrell (0-3), D. Doyle (0-2), B. Hayden (0-1), N. English (0-1).

|stadium=Athboy

|attendance=

|referee= P. Horan (Offaly)

}}

----

{{footballbox

|date=May 14
Second Round

|team1=Carlow

|score=3-14 – 6-6

|team2=Westmeath

|report=

|goals1= D. Murphy (1-4), D. Doyle (1-1), J. Byrne (1-1), M. Slye (0-4), T. Murphy (0-1), M. Farrell (0-1), J. English (0-1), B. Hayden (0-1).

|goals2= S. McLoughlin (3-1), B. Kennedy (1-2), D. Kilcoyne (1-1), R. Galvin (1-1), P. Galvin (0-1).

|stadium=Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow

|attendance=

|referee= J. Guinan (Kilkenny)

}}

----

{{footballbox

|date=June 4
Quarter-Final

|team1=Wexford

|score=6-23 – 1-7

|team2=Westmeath

|report=

|goals1= B. Byrne (3-0), L. Murphy (2-2), T. Dempsey (1-3), R. McCarthy (0-5), E. Scallan (0-2), P. Codd (0-2), I. Hassey (0-2), L. Dunne (0-2), M. Storey (0-2), G. O'Connor (0-1).

|goals2= S. Qualter (1-0), R. Galvin (0-3), McLoughlin (0-3), N. Kennedy (0-1).

|stadium=Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow

|attendance= 12,000

|referee= P. Aherne (Carlow)

}}

----

{{footballbox

|date=June 4
Quarter-Final

|team1=Kilkenny

|score=2-14 – 2-12

|team2=Laois

|report=

|goals1= D. Byrne (2-2), A. Ronan (0-4), D. J. Carey (0-3), C. Brennan (0-2), C. Carter (0-1), E. Morrissey (0-1), P. O'Neill (0-1).

|goals2= F. Lalor (1-6), D. Conroy (1-1), F. O'Sullivan (0-2), O. Dowling (0-1), N. Rigney (0-1), J. Dollard (0-1).

|stadium=Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow

|attendance= 12,000

|referee= W. Barrett (Tipperary)

}}

----

{{footballbox

|date=June 25
Semi-Final

|team1=Offaly

|score=2-14 – 1-10

|team2=Wexford

|report=

|goals1= Johnny Dooley (0-8), J. Troy (1-2), Joe Dooley (1-1), M. Duignan (0-2), J. Pilkington (0-1).

|goals2= L. Dunne (0-5), B. Byrne (1-1), M. Dempsey (0-3), M. Storey (0-1).

|stadium=Croke Park, Dublin

|attendance=

|referee= A. Mac Suibhne (Dublin)

}}

----

{{footballbox

|date=June 25
Semi-Final

|team1=Kilkenny

|score=4-13 – 2-10

|team2=Dublin

|report=

|goals1= E. Morrissey (3-3), D. Byrne (1-2), A. Ronan (0-4), D. J. Carey (0-1), C. Brennan (0-1), P. O'Neill (0-1), D. Gaffney (0-1).

|goals2= J. Twomey (1-4), V. Murphy (0-4), S. Cooke (1-0), G. Harrigton (0-1), S. McDermott (0-1).

|stadium=Croke Park, Dublin

|attendance=

|referee= P. Delaney (Laois)

}}

----

{{footballbox

|date=July 16
Final

|team1=Offaly

|score=2-16 – 2-5

|team2=Kilkenny

|report=

|goals1= B. Dooley (0-5), P. O'Connor (1-1), D. Regan (1-0), M. Duignan (0-3), Johnny Dooley (0-3), J. Troy (0-2), B. Whelehan (0-1), J. Pilkington (0-1).

|goals2= D. J. Carey (2-0), A. Ronan (0-3), P. J. Delaney (0-1), P. O'Neill (0-1).

|stadium=Croke Park, Dublin

|attendance= 25,000

|referee= D. Murphy (Wexford)

}}

----

{{8TeamBracket-Compact-NoSeeds-Byes|RD1=Quarter-finals|RD2=Semi-finals|RD3=Final|team-width=100|score-width=35|RD1-team1=File:Colours of Kerry GAA.svg Kerry|RD1-score1=0-12|RD1-team2=File:Colours of Cork.svg Cork|RD1-score2=1-22|RD1-team7=File:Colours of Tipperary.svg Tipperary|RD1-score7=4-23|RD1-team8=File:Colours of Waterford.svg Waterford|RD1-score8=1-11|RD2-team1=File:Colours of Clare.svg Clare|RD2-score1=2-13|RD2-team2=File:Colours of Cork.svg Cork|RD2-score2=3-09|RD2-team3=File:Colours of Limerick.svg Limerick|RD2-score3=0-16|RD2-team4=File:Colours of Tipperary.svg Tipperary|RD2-score4=0-15|RD3-team1=File:Colours of Clare.svg Clare|RD3-score1=1-17|RD3-team2=File:Colours of Limerick.svg Limerick|RD3-score2=0-11}}{{footballbox

|date=May 20
Quarter-Final

|team1=Kerry

|score=0-12 – 1-22

|team2=Cork

|report=

|goals1= P. O'Connell (0-4), M. Hennessy (0-3), C. Walsh (0-2), P. O'Rourke (0-1), B. O'Mahony (0-1), B. O'Sullivan (0-1).

|goals2= B. Egan (0-7), A. Browne (1-1), D. O'Donoghue (0-4), T. O'Sullivan (0-4), K. Murray (0-3), K. Morrisson (0-2), C. Casey (0-1).

|stadium=Austin Stack Park, Tralee

|attendance= 6,000

|referee= J. McDonnell (Tipperary)

}}

----

{{footballbox

|date=May 21
Quarter-Final

|team1=Tipperary

|score=4-23 – 1-11

|team2=Waterford

|report=

|goals1= P. Fox (2-4), M. Cleary (1-4), A. Ryan (1-2), N. English (0-4), D. Ryan (0-4), T. Dunne (0-3), J. Leahy (0-2).

|goals2= G. Harris (1-1), P. Flynn (0-3), G. Gater (0-3), T. Browne (0-1), T. Fives (0-1), B. O'Sullivan (0-1), P. Queally (0-1).

|stadium=Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork

|attendance=

|referee= T. Murray (Limerick)

}}

----

{{footballbox

|date=June 4
Semi-Final

|team1=Clare

|score=2-13 – 3-9

|team2=Cork

|report=

|goals1= G. O'Loughlin (1-3), O. Baker (1-1), J. O'Connor (0-4), P. J. O'Connell (0-2), F. Hegarty (0-1), C. Clancy (0-1), S. McMahon (0-1).

|goals2= K. Murray (1-2), A. Browne (1-2), G. Manley (1-0), M. Mullins (0-2), B. Egan (0-1), D. O'Donoghue (0-1), K. Morrisson (0-1).

|stadium=Gaelic Grounds, Limerick

|attendance=

|referee= P. O'Connor (Limerick)

}}

----

{{footballbox

|date=June 18
Semi-Final

|team1=Limerick

|score=0-16 – 0-15

|team2=Tipperary

|report=

|goals1= G. Kirby (0-12), M. Galligan (0-1), T. J. Ryan (0-1), D. Quigley (0-1), S. O'Neill (0-1).

|goals2= M. Cleary (0-4), B. Ryan (0-2), A. Ryan (0-2), N. English (0-2), J. Leahy (0-2), P. Fox (0-1), A. Crosse (0-1), D. Ryan (0-1).

|stadium=Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork

|attendance= 32,134

|referee= D. Murphy (Wexford)

}}

----

{{main|1995 Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final}}

{{footballbox

|date=July 9
Final

|team1=Clare

|score=1-17 – 0-11

|team2=Limerick

|report=

|goals1= J. O'Connor (0-6), P. J. Connell (0-4), D. FitzGerald (1-0), C. Clancy (0-2), S. McMahon (0-1), F. Tuohy (0-1), F. Hegarty (0-1), S. McNamara (0-1), G. O'Loughlin (0-1).

|goals2= G. Kirby (0-6), M. Galligan (0-3), P. Heffernan (0-1), F. Carroll (0-1).

|stadium=Semple Stadium, Thurles

|attendance=

|referee= J. McDonnell (Tipperary)

}}

----

{{footballbox

|date=July 9
Final

|team1=Antrim

|score=1-13 – 3-7

|team2=Down

|report=

|goals1= G. O'Kane (0-6), J. Boyle (1-0), T. McNaughton (0-2), J. Carson (0-2), P. Donnelly (0-2), S. P. McKillop (0-1).

|goals2= K. Coulter (2-1), H. Gilmore (0-4), D. O'Prey (1-0), M. Blaney (0-1), P. Coulter (0-1).

|stadium=Casement Park, Belfast

|attendance= 7,000

|referee= A. Mac Suibhne (Dublin)

}}

----

{{footballbox

|date=July 16
Final
Replay

|team1=Antrim

|score=2-10 – 1-19

|team2=Down

|report=

|goals1= G. O'Kane (1-5), J. Carson (1-0), T. McNaughton (0-1), A. Elliot (0-1), S. McMullan (0-1), S. P. McKillop (0-1), C. McCambridge (0-1).

|goals2= N. Sands (1-2), J. McCarthy (0-4), H. Gilmore (0-4), K. Coulter (0-3), D. Hughes (0-2), P. Coulter (0-1), C. Arthurs (0-1), M. Mallon (0-1), D. Woods (0-1).

|stadium=Casement Park, Belfast

|attendance=

|referee= A. Mac Suibhne (Dublin)

}}

----

{{8TeamBracket-Compact-NoSeeds-Byes|RD1=Quarter-finals|RD2-team1=File:Colours of Offaly.svg Offaly|RD3-team2=File:Colours of Clare.svg Clare|RD3-score1=2-08|RD3-team1=File:Colours of Offaly.svg Offaly|RD2-score4=1-13|RD2-team4=File:Colours of Galway.svg Galway|RD2-score3=3-12|RD2-team3=File:Colours of Clare.svg Clare|RD2-score2=2-08|RD2-team2=File:Colours of Down.svg Down|RD2-score1=2-19|RD1-score8=|RD2=Semi-finals|RD1-team8=|RD1-score7=|RD1-team7=|RD1-score2=0-16|RD1-team2=File:Colours of Down.svg Down|RD1-score1=0-09|RD1-team1=File:Colours of London.svg London|score-width=35|team-width=100|RD3=Final|RD3-score2=1-13}}

{{footballbox

|date=July 23
Quarter-Final

|team1=London

|score=0-9 – 0-16

|team2=Down

|report=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120923234910/http://www.gaainfo.com/article.php?story=0&matchno=385&co=intercounty&year=1995 Report]

|goals1= T. Galway (0-4), M. Cunningham (0-2), D. McKenna (0-1), T. Corbett (0-1), J. Kennedy (0-1).

|goals2= K. Coulter (0-4), C. Arthurs (0-3), H. Gilmore (0-3), N. Sands (0-2), M. Mallon (0-1), J. McCarthy (0-1), B. Coulter (0-1), M. Blaney (0-1).

|stadium=Emerald GAA Grounds, Ruislip

|attendance= 2,000

|referee= J. O'Leary (Cork)

}}

{{footballbox

|date=August 6
Semi-Final

|team1=Offaly

|score=2-19 – 2-8

|team2=Down

|report=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120923234809/http://www.gaainfo.com/article.php?story=0&matchno=387&co=intercounty&year=1995 Report]

|goals1= Johnny Dooley (0-11), B. Dooley (1-2), M. Duignan (1-1), P. O'Connor (0-1), J. Troy (0-1), Joe Dooley (0-1), B. Whelehan (0-1), J. Pilkington (0-1).

|goals2= P. Coulter (1-0), N. Sands (1-0), H. Gilmore (0-3), K. Coulter (0-1), D. Hughes (0-1), J. McCarthy (0-1).

|stadium=Croke Park, Dublin

|attendance=

|referee= W. Barrett (Tipperary)

}}

----

{{footballbox

|date=August 6
Semi-Final

|team1=Clare

|score=3-12 – 1-13

|team2=Galway

|report=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120923234721/http://www.gaainfo.com/article.php?story=0&matchno=388&co=intercounty&year=1995 Report]

|goals1= G. O'Loughlin (2-1), J. O'Connor (0-7), S. McNamara (1-1), L. Doyle (0-1), F. Tuohy (0-1), P. J. O'Connell (0-1).

|goals2= J. Cooney (0-6), F. Forde (1-1), J. Campbell (0-2), O. Fahy (0-2), L. Burke (0-1), M. Coleman (0-1).

|stadium=Croke Park, Dublin

|attendance=54,512

|referee= D. Murphy (Wexford)

}}

{{footballbox

|date=September 3
Final
15:30 BST

|team1=Clare

|score=1-13 – 2-8

|team2=Offaly

|report=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120923234635/http://www.gaainfo.com/article.php?story=0&matchno=393&co=intercounty&year=1995 Report]

|goals1= F. Tuohy (0-4), E. Taffe (1-0), S. McMahon (0-3), J. O'Connor (0-2), F. Hegarty (0-1), G. O'Loughlin (0-1), O. Baker (0-1), A. Daly (0-1).

|goals2= Johnny Dooley (0-5), J. Pilkington (1-0), M. Duignan (1-0), J. Troy (0-1), D. Regan (0-1), B. Dooley (0-1).

|stadium=Croke Park, Dublin

|attendance=65,092

|referee= D. Murphy (Wexford)

}}

{{main|1995 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final}}

• First goal of the championship: John Byrne for Carlow against Meath (Leinster first round)
• Last goal of the championship: Éamonn Taaffe for Clare against Offaly (All-Ireland final)
• Hat-trick heroes:
• First hat-trick of the championship: Seán McLoughlin for Westmeath against Carlow (Leinster first round)
• Second hat-trick of the championship: Billy Byrne for Wexford against Westmeath (Leinster quarter-final)
• Third hat-trick of the championship: Eamon Morrissey for Kilkenny against Dublin (Leinster semi-final)
• Widest winning margin: 31 points
• Wexford 6-23 : 1-7 Westmeath (Leinster quarter-final)
• Most goals in a match: 9
• Carlow 3-14 : 6-6 Westmeath (Leinster first round)
• Most points in a match: 34
• Kerry 0-12 : 1-22 Cork (Munster semi-final)
• Tipperary 4-23 : 1-11 Waterford (Munster semi-final)
• Most goals by one team in a match: 6
• Westmeath 6-6 : 3-14 Carlow (Leinster first round)
• Most goals scored by a losing team: 3
• Carlow 3-14 : 6-6 Westmeath (Leinster first round)
• Cork 3-9 : 2-13 Clare (Munster semi-final)
• Most points scored by a losing team: 14
• Carlow 3-14 : 6-6 Westmeath (Leinster second round)

• Most goals scored - Kilkenny (8)
• Most goals conceded - Carlow (7)
• Fewest goals conceded - Tipperary (1)
• Fewest points conceded - Meath (11)
• Fewest goals scored - Meath, Limerick, London (0)
• Fewest points scored - London (9)

• First red card of the championship: Johnny Kavanagh for Carlow against Meath (Leinster first round)

• Down win the Ulster title for the third time in their history. It is their second provincial title in three years.
• The All-Ireland semi-final meeting of Clare and Galway is their first championship clash since the 1967 championship.
• Clare win the Munster title for the first time since the 1932 championship. They later claim the All-Ireland title for the first time since 1914.
• The meeting of Down and Offaly in the All-Ireland semi-final was their first-ever clash in the history of the championship.
• The meeting of Clare and Offaly in the All-Ireland final was their first-ever clash in the history of the championship.

The following players made their début in the 1995 championship:

The following players played their last game in the 1995 championship:

• 1995 All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110711070812/http://www.gaainfo.com/comp.php?cyear=1994&comp=shc&co=intercounty&year=1995&submit=Go All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1995 Results]

• Corry, Eoghan, The GAA Book of Lists (Hodder Headline Ireland, 2005).
• Donegan, Des, The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games (DBA Publications Limited, 2005).
• Sweeney, Éamonn, Munster Hurling Legends (The O'Brien Press, 2002).

{{Hurling All-Irelands}}

1995

All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship