4 September 2011; Tommy Walsh, Kilkenny, with support from team-mate Michael Rice, wins a puck out against Noel McGrath, Tipperary. GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final, Kilkenny v Tipperary, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit: Barry Cregg / SPORTSFILE
On this All-Ireland Hurling Final week, we are taking a look back at some of the personal favourite pictures of our photographers from finals past. Now it’s the turn of Barry Cregg.
One of my favourite photos from an All-Ireland Hurling Final is from the 2011 final when Kilkenny beat Tipperary.
I was sitting in the corner of the Hogan Stand /Hill 16 working at my first All-Ireland final. Kilkenny half-back Tommy Walsh jumped up to catch a dropping high ball when I got this photo.
It was such a great catch, he was so far off the ground, catching the ball at it’s highest point. He just bravely jumped straight into it without any fear or hesitation and still managed to protect himself and fend off his opponent Noel McGrath.
The photo got a lot of coverage in the coming days and was also used in Sportsfile’s ‘A Season of Sunday’s’.