after a five-year absence, kilkenny faced reigning champions tipperary in the all-ireland final on 3 september 1950. kilkenny played into a gale-force wind and glaring sunshine for the opening period and took a 0-7 to 0-5 lead at the break. tipperary emerged as a different side after the interval, while kilkenny changed tactics and passed on several opportunities to stretch their lead with some easy points in favour of trying to engineer goals. a minute from the end paddy kenny scored tipp's only goal of the game to put them four points ahead. tipperary supporters were still celebrating when kilkenny's right wing-back jimmy kelly sent the sliotar to the net from seventy yards. kilkenny eagerly awaited the puck-out and the chance to level the game, however, referee and former all-ireland medallist con murphy (cork) blew full-time. kilkenny, who were the one point specialists, having won five all-ireland titles by that margin, were at the wrong end for once as they were downed by 1-9 to 1-8.