1987 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship

The 1987 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship was the 101st staging of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, the Gaelic Athletic Association's premier inter-county hurling tournament. The championship began on 24 May 1987 and ended on 6 September 1987.

1987 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship

Championship details
Dates	24 May - 6 September 1987
Teams	15
All-Ireland champions
Winning team	Galway (3rd win)
Captain	Conor Hayes
Manager	Cyril Farrell
All-Ireland Finalists
Losing team	Kilkenny
Captain	Paddy Prendergast
Manager	Pat Henderson
Provincial champions
Munster	Tipperary
Leinster	Kilkenny
Ulster	Not Played
Connacht	Not Played
Championship statistics
No. matches played	17
Goals total	61 (3.58 per game)
Points total	500 (29.41 per game)
Top Scorer	Pat Fox (3-45)
Player of the Year	Joe Cooney
All-Star Team	See here
← 1986 1988 →

Cork were the defending champions but were defeated by Tipperary in the Munster final. Kerry fielded a team in the provincial championship for the first time since 1978.

On 6 September 1987, Galway won the championship following a 1-12 to 0-9 defeat of Kilkenny in the 100th All-Ireland final. This was their third All-Ireland title, their first in seven championship seasons.

Tipperary's Pat Fox was the championship's top scorer with 3-45. Galway's Joe Cooney was the choice for Texaco Hurler of the Year.

Team changes

To Championship

Qualified from the All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship

• London

From Championship

Relegated to the All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship

• None

Teams

General information

Fifteen counties will compete in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship: one team from the Connacht Senior Hurling Championship, six teams in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, six teams in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship, one team 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 1986 Championship	Current championship
Antrim	1946	—		Ulster Senior Hurling Championship
Clare	1932	1914		Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Cork	1986	1986		Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Dublin	1961	1938		Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Galway	1922	1980		Connacht Senior Hurling Championship
London	—	1901		All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship
Kerry	1891	1891		Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Kilkenny	1986	1983		Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Laois	1949	1915		Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Limerick	1981	1973		Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Offaly	1985	1985		Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Tipperary	1971	1971		Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Waterford	1963	1959		Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Westmeath	—	—		Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Wexford	1977	1968		Leinster Senior Hurling Championship

Provincial championships

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship

31 May
Quarter-Final

Kilkenny	4–20 – 4–5	Westmeath
C. Heffernan (2–5), K. Brennan (1–2), P. Walsh (1–2), L. Fennelly (0–3), H. Ryan (0–3), L. McCarthy (0–3), G. Fennelly (0–2).		D. Kilcoyne (2–1), S. Kilcoyne (2–1), E. Gallagher (0–1), P. Clancy (0–1), M. Kennedy (0–1).

O'Moore Park, Portlaoise

Attendance: 10,127

Referee: G. Kirwan (Offaly)

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31 May
Quarter-Final

Offaly	2–18 – 1–13	Dublin
M. Corrigan (0–7), P. Cleary (1–3), J. Dooley (1–1), D. Fogarty (0–3), B. Keeshan (0–2), S. Coughlan (0–1), D. Owens (0–1).		N. Howard (1–5), M. J. Ryan (0–2), J. Murphy (0–2), S. Dalton (0–1), B. McMahon (0–1), G. Hegarty (0–1), P. Pringle (0–1).

O'Moore Park, Portlaoise

Attendance: 10,127

Referee: P. Delaney (Laois)

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21 June
Semi-final

Offaly	1–16 – 0–13	Laois
M. Corrigan (0–7), S. Coughlan (1–1), B. Keeshan (0–3), P. Cleary (0–2), P. Corrigan (0–1), J. Dooley (0–1), J. Kelly (0–1).		B. Bohane (0–5), M. O'Sullivan (0–3), S. Plunkett (0–2), E. Fennelly (0–1), P. Cleary (0–1), P. O'Brien (0–1).

Croke Park, Dublin

Attendance: 35,719

Referee: J. Denton (Wexford)

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21 June
Semi-final

Kilkenny	3–20 – 2–15	Wexford
H. Ryan (1–4), L. McCarthy (1–3), L. Fennelly (1–1), G. Fennelly (0–4), C. Heffernan (0–3), P. Walsh (0–2), S. Fennelly (0–2), L. Ryan (0–1).		J. Houlihan (0–9), T. Dempsey (1–1), S. Fitzhenry (1–0), M. Quigley (0–2), G. O'Connor (0–2), J. McDonald (0–1).

Croke Park, Dublin

Attendance: 35,719

Referee: N. O'Donoghue (Dublin)

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2 August
Final

Kilkenny	2–14 – 0–17	Offaly
G. Fennelly (0–9), L. Fennelly (2–0), H. Ryan (0–1), K. Brennan (0–1), T. Lennon (0–1), C. Heffernan (0–1), R. Power (0–1).		D. Fogarty (0–3), B. Keeshan (0–3), M. Corrigan (0–2), P. Cleary (0–2), J. Kelly (0–2), D. Owens (0–2), P. Connors (0–1), J. Dooley (0–1), P. Corrigan (0–1).

Croke Park, Dublin

Attendance: 29,133

Referee: P. Delaney (Laois)

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Munster Senior Hurling Championship

24 May
Quarter-Final

Kerry	2–6 – 1–21	Tipperary
J. Hennessy (1–1), B. Neenan (1–0), E. Murphy (0–3), S. Sheahan (0–1), C. Nolan (0–1).		P. Fox (1–10), M. Scully (0–3), C. Bonnar (0–2), A. Ryan (0–2), L. Stokes (0–2), M. Doley (0–1), D. O'Connell (0–1).

FitzGerald Stadium, Killarney

Attendance: 1,500

Referee: F. Murphy (Cork)

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24 May
Quarter-Final

Limerick	2–15 – 1–14	Waterford
P. Kelly (0–10), D. FitzGerald (1–0), S. Fitzgibbon (1–0), T. Kenny (0–2), P. McCarthy (0–1), G. Kirby (0–1), A. Carmody (0–1).		K. Delahunty (0–8), P. Bennett (1–0), P. Ryan (0–2), N. Crowley (0–2), M. Walsh (0–1), B. Power (0–1).

Semple Stadium, Thurles

Attendance: 9,537

Referee: G. Ryan (Tipperary)

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7 June
Semi-final

Tipperary	1–13 – 1–13	Clare
P. Fox (0–7), N. English (1–3), A. Ryan (0–2), J. McGrath (0–1).		C. Lyons (0–8), G. McInenrey (1–0), T. Guilfoyle (0–3). M. Guilfoyle (0–1), J. Shanahan (0–1).

FitzGerald Stadium, Killarney

Attendance: 18,000

Referee: T. Murray (Limerick)

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14 June
Semi-final

Cork	3–11 – 3–11	Limerick
K. Kingston (2–1), J. Fenton (0–5), J. Fitzgibbon (1–0), T. O'Sullivan (0–3), G. FitzGerald (0–1), T. McCarthy (0–1).		P. McCarthy (1–3), S. Fitzginnon (1–1), P. Kelly (0–5), A. Carmody (0–1), J. Carroll (0–1).

Semple Stadium, Thurles

Attendance: 26,000

Referee: J. Moore (Waterford)

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21 June
Semi-final Replay

Tipperary	4–17 – 0–8	Clare
N. English (2–4), P. Fox (0–7), B. Ryan (1–1), D. O'Connell (1–0), A. Ryan (0–3), R. Stakelum (0–1), P. Hayes (0–1).		A. Cunningham (0–2), C. Lyons (0–2), M. Guilfoyle (0–2), G. O'Loughlin (0–1).

FitzGerald Stadium, Killarney

Attendance: 23,000

Referee: T. Murray (Limerick)

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28 June
Semi-final Replay

Cork	3–14 – 0–10	Limerick
J. Fenton (1–8), K. Hennessy (1–2), K. Fitzgibbon (1–0), T. McCarthy (0–2), T. O'Sullivan (0–1), J. Cashman (0–1).		P. Kelly (0–3), D. FitzGerald (0–2), O. O'Connor (0–2), P. McCarthy (0–1), D. Punch (0–1), G. Hegarty (0–1).

Semple Stadium, Thurles

Attendance: 35,000

Referee: J. Moore (Waterford)

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12 July
Final

Tipperary	1–18 – 1–18	Cork
P. Fox (0–9), N. English (1–1), D. O'Donnell (0–4), A. Ryan (0–2), R. Stakelum (0–1), J. McGrath (0–1).		J. Fenton (0–12), T. O'Sullivan (0–4), K. Kingston (1–0), K. Hennessy (0–1), T. McCarthy (0–1).

Semple Stadium, Thurles

Attendance: 56,005

Referee: T. Murray (Limerick)

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19 July
Final Replay

Tipperary	4–22 – 1–22 (AET)	Cork
P. Fox (0–11), M. Doyle (2–0), N. English (1–1), D. O'Connell (1–1), M. McGrath (0–3), A. Ryan (0–3), P. Delaney (0–2), P. Fitzelle (0–1).		J. Fenton (0–13), T. Mulcahy (1–2), T. McCarthy (0–3), T. O'Sullivan (0–3), G. FitzGerald (0–1).

FitzGerald Stadium, Killarney

Attendance: 45,000

Referee: T. Murray (Limerick)

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All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship

Bracket

	Quarter-Finals					Semi-Finals					Final
						Galway		3-20
						Tipperary		2-17
											Galway		1-12
											Kilkenny		0-09
						Kilkenny		2-18
	Antrim		3-14			Antrim		2-11
	London		1-15

All-Ireland quarter-finals

19 July
Quarter-Final

Antrim	3–14 – 1–15	London
D. McNaughton (1–5), B. Donnelly (2–1), D. Donnelly (0–3), P. McKillen (0–3), T. McGrath (0–1), T. McNaughton (0–1).		M. Jordan (1–2), M. Burke (0–4), P. Hoctor (0–3), J. Murphy (0–3), G. Ryan (0–2), C. Aherne (0–1).

Casement Park, Belfast

All-Ireland semi-finals

9 August
Semi-final

Galway	3–20 – 2–17	Tipperary
E. Ryan (1–4), J. Cooney (0–6), M. Naughton (1–0), N. Lane (1–0), A. Cunningham (0–3), S. Mahon (0–3), M. McGrath (0–3), B. Lynskey (0–1).	Report	P. Fox (2–1), N. English (0–6), P. Delaney (0–3), M. McGrath (0–2), D. O'Connell (0–2), A. Ryan (0–2), J. Hayes (0–1).

Croke Park, Dublin

Attendance: 49,410

Referee: G. Kirwan (Offaly)

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16 August
Semi-final

Kilkenny	2–18 – 2–11	Antrim
H. Ryan (2–5), G. Fennelly (0–7), K. Brennan (0–3), T. Lennon (0–1), C. Heffernan (0–1), R. Power (0–1).		D. McNaughton (2–1), D. Donnelly (0–6), T. McNaughton (0–2), B. Donnelly (0–1), P. McKillen (0–1).

St. Brigid's Park, Dundalk, County Louth

Attendance: 4,962

Referee: T. Murray (Limerick)

All-Ireland Final

6 September
Final

Galway	1–12 – 0–9	Kilkenny
J. Cooney (0–5), N. Lane (1–0), T. Keady (0–2), S. Mahon (0–2), M. Naughton (0–1), A. Cunningham (0–1), M. McGrath (0–1).		G. Fennelly (0–7), H. Ryan (0–1), T. Lennon (0–1).

Croke Park, Dublin

Attendance: 65,586

Referee: T. Murray (Limerick)

Main article: 1987 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final

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Championship statistics

Miscellaneous

• Kerry take part in the Munster series of games for the first time since 1978.
• In the Munster semi-final replay against Limerick, Cork's John Fenton scored, what is often regarded as, one of the greatest hurling goals of all-time. Playing in his usual midfield position he struck the sliotar on the ground and scored a goal from forty-five yards out. In 2005 this goal was listed as one of RTÉ's Top 20 GAA Moments and, in a TG4 poll in 2009 it was voted the second greatest hurling goal of all-time.
• At the Munster final between Cork and Tipperary the official attendance is given as 56,005. Two gates, however, were broken down before the start of the game and an estimated 3,000 people gained free entry to the Killinan terrace.
• The Leinster final between Kilkenny and Offaly is postponed due to damage to the Croke Park pitch following a U2 concert in June.

Top scorers

Overall

Rank	Player	County	Tally	Total	Matches	Average
1	Pat Fox	Tipperary	3–45	54	6	9.00
2	John Fenton	Cork	1–38	41	4	10.25
3	Nicky English	Tipperary	5–15	30	6	5.00
4	Ger Fennelly	Kilkenny	0–29	29	5	5.80
5	Harry Ryan	Kilkenny	3–14	23	5	4.60
6	Paddy Kelly	Limerick	0-18	18	3	6.00
7	Christy Heffernan	Kilkenny	2-10	16	4	4.00
	Mark Corrigan	Offaly	0-16	16	3	5.33
9	Danny McNaughton	Antrim	3-6	15	2	7.50
10	Liam Fennelly	Kilkenny	3-4	13	5	2.60

Single game

Rank	Player	County	Tally	Total	Opposition
1	Pat Fox	Tipperary	1–10	13	Kerry
	John Fenton	Cork	0–13	13	Tipperary
3	John Fenton	Cork	0–12	12	Tipperary
4	Christy Heffernan	Kilkenny	2–5	11	Westmeath
	Harry Ryan	Kilkenny	2–5	11	Antrim
	John Fenton	Cork	1–8	11	Limerick
	Pat Fox	Tipperary	0–11	11	Cork
8	Nicky English	Tipperary	2–4	10	Clare
	Paddy Kelly	Limerick	0–10	10	Waterford
10	Ger Fennelly	Kilkenny	0–9	9	Offaly
	Pat Fox	Tipperary	0–9	9	Cork
	John Houlihan	Wexford	0–9	9	Kilkenny

Clean sheets

Rank	Goalkeeper	County	Clean sheets
1	Jim Troy	Offaly	1
	Kevin Fennelly	Kilkenny
	Ken Hogan	Tipperary
	Ger Cunningham	Cork
	John Commins	Galway

References

• Corry, Eoghan, The GAA Book of Lists (Hodder Headline Ireland, 2005).
• Donegan, Des, The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games (DBA Publications Limited, 2005).

External links

• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1987 Results