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.

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

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.

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

1 April 1888

Tipperary	1-1 (1) – 0-0 (0)	Galway

Birr Sportsfield, Birr

Attendance: c. 5,000

Referee: Patrick J White (Offaly)