on 1 september 1991, tipperary and kilkenny renewed their rivalry after a twenty-year hiatus. tipperary went into the game as firm favourites having come through a replay with all-ireland champions cork to win the munster title and a routine win over galway in the semi-final. kilkenny, however, had only progressed after a two-point win over dublin in the leinster final and a laboured win over antrim in the semis. "the cats" were first to impose themselves on the game but a goal from michael "skippy" cleary – form a mishit 21-yard-free – swung the momentum in tipp's favour. the game will also always be remembered for the incident where aidan ryan's shoulder sent john power into the barbwire fencing – off which he cut his hand – which surrounded the croke park pitch at the time.