Clonmel Commercials honor Philly and go top of the Pile with Title 22.
Clonmel Commercials returned to the summit of Tipperary football with conviction, control and clarity, claiming the 2025 Tipperary Senior Football Championship title with a comprehensive 1-26 to 1-05 victory over Kilsheelan-Kilcash at FBD Semple Stadium. The result not only secured this year’s crown, but also carried historic significance, as Commercials now move clear at the top of the Tipperary roll of honour with 22 titles, one ahead of Fethard.
This was a performance built on emotional unity, tactical sharpness and finishing quality, delivered at the end of a deeply difficult month for the club following the sudden passing of Philly Ryan, a man whose presence has shaped the soul and standard of Commercials for decades.
1. A Title Dedicated to Philly Ryan
From the outset, this championship run was intertwined with grief and memory. The passing of Philly Ryan, long time Commercials manager, mentor, leader and grounding influence, cast a heavy shadow over the closing stages of the campaign.
Manager Tommy Morrissey spoke openly about how difficult the semi final week had been, describing moments where simply preparing for a match felt emotionally near impossible. Yet the group found collective resilience, and in doing so, carried the character and influence of Philly onto the field.
The most poignant moment came at full time. Commercials players streamed toward goalkeeper Shane Ryan, Philly’s son, who has conceded just two goals in their last nine championship games. It was a moment that said everything without words. This title was not just won, it was delivered for someone.
2. Commercials Move Clear at the Top of the Roll of Honour
This victory lifts Clonmel Commercials to 22 Tipperary Senior Football Championship titles, now standing alone as the most decorated club in county history.
Their title history reflects sustained excellence across generations, from their first triumph in 1944 through the modern era which has seen eight titles since 2012 (2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2025).
In doing so, they move ahead of Fethard, whose 21 titles were built largely in a golden period from 1917 to 1928, and maintain distance from Loughmore-Castleiney who sit on 16.
Their opponents, Kilsheelan-Kilcash, were bidding to bridge a remarkable historical gap. Their last county title was 1972, over half a century ago. Their return to the county final stage remains significant progress for a club widely regarded as developing sustainable depth and underage structures, but the gulf in maturity and physical command on final day was clear.
Tipperary Senior Football Championship — Roll of Honour
| Rank | Club | Titles | Years Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clonmel Commercials | 22 | 1944, 1948, 1956, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1982, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2002, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2025 |
| 2 | Fethard | 21 | 1887, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1927, 1928, 1938, 1942, 1954, 1957, 1978, 1984, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1997, 2001 |
| 3 | Loughmore-Castleiney | 16 | 1914, 1940, 1946, 1955, 1973, 1977, 1979, 1983, 1987, 1992, 2004, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2021, 2024 |
| 4 | Grangemockler-Ballyneale | 8 | 1890, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1909, 1931 |
| 4 | Clonmel Shamrocks | 8 | 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1933, 1934, 1937 |
| 4 | Ardfinnan | 8 | 1935, 1939, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1970, 1974, 2005 |
| 5 | Moyle Rovers | 8 | 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2009, 2018 |
| 6 | Arravale Rovers | 6 | 1894, 1895, 1896, 1899, 1941, 1985 |
| 6 | Galtee Rovers | 6 | 1949, 1950, 1976, 1980, 1981, 2008 |
| 7 | Mullinahone | 5 | 1912, 1913, 1916, 1926, 1929 |
| 8 | Kilsheelan-Kilcash | 4 | 1930, 1932, 1968, 1972 |
| 9 | St Flannan’s (North Selection) | 3 | 1958, 1959, 1961 |
| 10 | Bohercrowe | 2 | 1888, 1889 |
| 10 | Nenagh | 2 | 1911, 1915 |
| 10 | Templemore Éire Óg | 2 | 1925, 1936 |
| 10 | 10th Battalion Templemore | 2 | 1943, 1945 |
| 10 | St Patrick’s (Drangan/Cloneen) | 2 | 1947, 1953 |
| 10 | Aherlow | 2 | 2006, 2010 |
| 11 | Tipperary Town | 1 | 1902 |
| 11 | Cloneen | 1 | 1908 |
| 11 | Tipperary O’Leary’s | 1 | 1910 |
| 11 | Castleiney | 1 | 1914 |
| 11 | Ballingarry | 1 | 1951 |
| 11 | Old Bridge | 1 | 1952 |
| 11 | Thurles Crokes | 1 | 1960 |
| 11 | Kilruane MacDonagh’s | 1 | 1975 |
| 11 | Cahir | 1 | 2003 |
| 11 | Thomas MacDonagh’s | 1 | 2011 |
3. Midfield Structure and Control Defined the Contest
The match was decided in the middle third. Jack Kennedy and Darragh O’Connor controlled tempo, territory and the pattern of play. Kennedy contributed 0-05 (one placed ball, one 45) and acted as the central distributor, while O’Connor disrupted Kilsheelan’s breaks and consistently forced turnovers that became attacking platforms.
Commercials’ defensive structure fed directly into their attack. Once they imposed their shape, Kilsheelan spent too long inside their own half. The game flowed one direction because Commercials dictated every restart, every build and every contest line.
4. Scoring Power, Ruthlessness and the Match Breaking Surge
Commercials finished with nine different scorers, and showed both depth and decision making in attack.
- Michael Quinlivan finished with 1-01, his goal coming at the heart of the decisive 1-08 without reply surge early in the second half.
- Seán O’Connor and Cian Smith shared top scorer honours with 0-06 each, both showing range in finishing, taking scores from play, frees and marks.
- Peter McGarry, who contributed 0-04, set the tone with early movement and link play that repeatedly fractured Kilsheelan’s defensive shape.
- Jack Kennedy’s scoring and distribution completed a display that blended experience, composure and aggression.
This was not just clinical, it was layered attacking football, built on the foundation of total control behind it.
5. Focus Turns to Munster, and on Familiar Ground
There will be little time to reflect. Commercials now prepare for a Munster Club quarter final:
2025 AIB Munster GAA Football Senior Club Championship
| Round | Fixture | Score | Date | Venue | Referee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter Final 1 | Éire Óg, Inis (Clare) v Rathgormack (Waterford) | 0-20 to 1-13 | 9 November | Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg | David Murnane (Cork) |
| Quarter Final 2 | Clonmel Commercials (Tipperary) v St Finbarr’s (Cork) | — | 15 November, 1.15pm | Tipperary venue, Clonmel Sportsfield expected | Chris Maguire (Clare) |
| Semi Final 1 | Dingle (Kerry) v Newcastle West or Mungret St Pauls (Limerick) | — | 23 November | Kerry venue | — |
| Semi Final 2 | Éire Óg, Inis (Clare) v Clonmel Commercials (Tipperary) or St Finbarr’s (Cork) | — | 23 November | Venue TBC | — |
| Final | TBC | — | 7 December | — | — |
This will be Commercials’ first home Munster tie in Clonmel in several years. The pitch has undergone significant redevelopment over the last 12 months through the joint work of Commercials, St Mary’s and the Sportsfield committee. The surface has been restored to provincial standard, and hosting this fixture is both a practical advantage and a symbolic moment.
Commercials do not enter Munster to participate, they enter to compete. Their 2015 Munster title remains a high watermark, but the internal view is that this current team has the personnel, balance, experience and momentum to challenge once again.
Scorers Recap
Clonmel Commercials:
Seán O’Connor 0-06 , Cian Smith 0-06 , Jack Kennedy 0-05 , Peter McGarry 0-04, Michael Quinlivan 1-01, Thomas Charles 0-01, Cathal Kennedy 0-01, Seán Kennedy 0-01, Ross Peters 0-01.
Kilsheelan-Kilcash:
Jamie Roche 1-00, Shane Garland 0-03, Shane Butler 0-01, Liam Freaney 0-01.