In 1970 Cork triumphed over Wexford in the All-Ireland final to claim their 21st and draw level with Tipperary at the top of hurling's roll of honour.

Twenty-seven-year-old Murphy, a former teacher and now a regional manager in Cork for an American publishing company, has been refereeing for ten years, having started his career in the Blackrock street leagues.

Flaherty played with Galway for nearly two decades and was a distinguished referee in his own right, having taken charge of the 1949 All-Ireland final between Tipperary and Laois.

The opening forty minutes proved to be a dour battle, characterised by close marking and a lack of free-flowing hurling.

After nineteen minutes Tipperary's Noel O'Dwyer scored the first goal of the match, a shot from long range that travelled along the ground.

With just a minute left to play Mossy Murphy shot Kilkenny's second goal after being put in possession by Pat Delaney.

Loughnane bookended the opening half when he scored the last point before the short whistle, giving Tipperary a 2-10 to 2-4 lead.

Michael 'Babs' Keating replied in kind for Tipp, however, in the forty-fifth minute Ned Byrne flicked home a Kilkenny goal after a lob from the right by Martin Brennan.

After more than an hour of hurling played at this stage Frank Cummins stepped up with a point to give Kilkenny the lead for the first time in the match.

Four minutes later Tipperary were back in front when Roger Ryan turned a free from Mick Roche into the Kilkenny net.