1887 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final

The 1887 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final was a hurling match that was played at Birr Sportsfield, Birr on 1 April 1888 to determine the winners of the 1887 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, the first season of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, a tournament organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association for inter-county hurling teams in Ireland. The final was contested by club representatives Thurles Blues of Tipperary and Meelick of Galway, with Tipperary winning by 1–1 (and a forfeit point) to 0–00.^[1]

1887 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final

Event	1887 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
Tipperary Galway 1-1 (1) 0-0 (0)
Date	1 April 1888
Venue	Birr Sportsfield, Birr
Referee	Pauric White (Offaly)
Attendance	c. 3,000
1889 →

Hurley used by Pat Madden in the 1887 final (GAA Museum)

Plaque honouring Madden at his childhood home in Meelick

Thurles/Tipperary wore green and gold, while Meelick/Galway were in blue and white.^[2]

Patrick White, a native of Blakefield, Toomevara and the first secretary of Offaly County G.A.A. Board. was the referee.

Tipperary's clash with Galway proved to be their toughest championship test yet. At a crucial stage in the second-half team captain Jim Stapleton led a charge down the field. Spotting a free player he passed the sliotar to Tom Healy who went on to score the first goal in an All-Ireland final.

Tipperary's All-Ireland victory was their first in what would be a remarkable record of securing an All-Ireland title in every decade. Tipperary also held a record of never losing an All Ireland Final from 1887 to 1909.

Match

Details

Tipperary	1-1 (1) – 0-0 (0)	Galway

1 April 1888

Birr Sportsfield, Birr

Attendance: c. 5,000

Referee: Patrick J White (Offaly)

References

1. "First All-Ireland hurling final to be commemorated". Hogan Stand. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
2. "Thurles Sarsfields History". Thurles Sarsfields.