Jackie Tyrrell - Playing Career - Inter-county

Inter-county

Tyrrell first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Kilkenny under-21 team. Success was slow in coming in this grade as Wexford dominated in the early years of the new century. In 2003 Kilkenny defeated Dublin by 0-12 to 1-4 giving Tyrrell a Leinster medal in that grade. He later lined out in the under-21 championship decider with Galway providing the opposition. Kilkenny won that game by 2-13 to 0-12 with Tyrrell collecting a coveted All-Ireland medal and collecting the cup as captain.

In 2003 Tyrrell joined the Kilkenny senior team for the first time. He was a non-playing substitute that year as 'the Cats' claimed the All-Ireland, Leister and National League titles.

Tyrrell made his competitive debut for Kilkenny in a National League game against Waterford in 2004. He was a regular during that league campaign, however, he played no part in the subsequent championship.

Kilkenny were back in form in 2005, with Tyrrell winning his first National League medal following a huge 3-20 to 0-15 victory over Clare. Kilkenny later defeated Wexford by 0-22 to 1-16 in the provincial decider, giving Delaney a first Leinster winners' medal. While a third successive All-Ireland showdown with Cork seemed likely, Galway defeated Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final in one of the games of the decade.

In 2006 Tyrrell was appointed captain for the year. He added a second consecutive National League medal to his collection following a 3-11 to 0-14 victory over Limerick. He later won his second Leinster medal following another facile victory over Wexford. The subsequent All-Ireland decider pitted Kilkenny against Cork. The Leesiders were aiming for a third All-Ireland victory in-a-row; however, revenge was foremost in the minds of Kilkenny as it was Cork who denied their three-in-a-row bid in 2004. On the day Kilkenny were far too strong for Cork as 'the Cats' secured a 1-16 to 1-13 victory. It was Walsh's first All-Ireland winners' medal, while he also had the honour of lifting the Liam MacCarthy Cup as captain.

Tyrrell collected a third Leinster medal in-a-row in 2007 following another facile victory in the provincial decider. Kilkenny later qualified for the All-Ireland final where, surprisingly, Limerick provided the opposition. Kilkenny got off to a flying start with Eddie Brennan and Henry Shefflin scoring two goals within the first ten minutes and went on to win the game by 2-19 to 1-15. It was Tyrrell's second consecutive All-Ireland medal. He was later presented with a coveted All-Star award.

2008 saw Kilkenny launch an all-out attack in an attempt to capture a third All-Ireland title in-a-row. Tyrrell collected a fourth Leinster winners' medal after a 5–21 to 0–17 defeat of Wexford in the provincial final, before later lining out in the All-Ireland decider. Waterford provided the opposition, however, Kilkenny recorded an enormous 3–30 to 1–13 victory. It was a third All-Ireland winners' medal for Tyrrell. A second All-Star award quickly followed.

Tyrrell won his third National League winners' medal in 2009 following a thrilling 4-17 to 2-26 defeat of Tipperary. A fifth Leinster medal quickly followed before Kilkenny set out to make history by becoming the second team in hurling history to win four successive All-Ireland finals. Tipperary were the opponents and, for much of the match, it looked as if they would pull off a shock and deny 'the Cats' the title. Two quick goals in the space of a minute, one from a penalty by Henry Shefflin, sealed a 2–22 to 0–23 victory. It was Tyrrell's fourth consecutive All-Ireland medal. He later won a third All-Star award.

Tyrrell added a sixth Leinster winners' medal to his collection in 2010 following a 1-19 to 1-12 defeat of new provincial rivals Galway. Kilkenny faced a number of injury worries going into an historic All-Ireland final, and ultimately failed in their 'drive for five' as Tipperary won by 4-17 to 1-18. In spite of the defeat Delaney later won a fourth successive All-Star award.

In 2011 'the Cats' continued their provincial dominance with Tyrrell winning a seventh consecutive Leinster winners' medal following a defeat of Dublin. Kilkenny later qualified for a sixth consecutive All-Ireland final. For the third year in succession Tyrrell's side faced Tipperary, however, on this occasion Kilkenny were slight underdogs going up against the new champions. Kilkenny started quickly and never surrendered the lead in the 2-17 to 1-16 victory. It was Delaney's fifth All-Ireland winners' medal.

2012 began well for Kilkenny. A trouncing of old rivals Cork gave Tyrrell a fourth National League winners' medal. After losing the Leinster final to GAlway, both sides subsequently met in the All-Ireland decider and Galway nearly pulled off a victory courtesy of goals from Joe Canning and Niall Burke. A 2-13 to 0-19 draw was the result, a first drawn All-Ireland final in over half a century. The replay saw Kilkenny claim a 3-22 to 3-11 victory, with Tyrrell picking up a sixth All-Ireland winners' medal.

Read more about this topic:  Jackie Tyrrell, Playing Career