normal time left, however, a madcap and dramatic finale ensued before their status as champions was confirmed. Injury-time goals from Conor Whelan and Joe Canning gave Limerick an almighty fright before Mulcahy scored what proved to be the decisive point to secure the title after a 45-year wait. 2019 — Back to the future for Tipperary The decade which saw five different All-Ireland champions ended as it began with a Tipperary-Kilkenny final. Kilkenny had the better of a scrappy opening period, leading by five points after 21 minutes, but a goal from Niall O'Meara kick-started Tipperary’s revival and just before half-time Richie Hogan was dismissed for a high challenge on Tipperary’s corner-back Cathal Barrett. Tipperary led by a point at the interval, 1-09 to 0-11 but, like their old rivals have so often done to them, they came storming out in the third quarter. Team captain Séamus Callanan and John O'Dwyer struck 1-01 apiece to send Tipperary streaking eight clear by the 42nd minute. Kilkenny needed goals after that but Tipperary used the extra man to good effect. Although T. J. Reid led the fight to the end, Tipperary’s substitutes all got in on the scoring spree to close out a comfortable 14-point win. Evolution of the Championship format The format of the competition has evolved substantially over the years, notably with the introduction of the 'back-door system' in 1997, and the introduction of the qualifiers in 2002. The following summarizes the evolution of the championship format through the years: 1887: Knockout format for all teams with an open draw. 1888-1996: Knockout format for all teams based on the provincial system. 1888-1896: The respective Munster and Leinster champions advanced directly to the All-Ireland final. There were no All-Ireland semi-finals. 1897-1898: The respective Munster and Leinster champions would take it in turns every second year to play Galway, the sole representatives from Connacht, in a lone All-Ireland semi-final. 1899: The respective Munster and Leinster champions advanced directly to the All-Ireland final. There were no All-Ireland semi-finals. 1900-1903: The four provincial winners from Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster were drawn against each other in two All-Ireland semi-finals. The two winners contested the All-Ireland 'home' final while the winners of this game played London in the All-Ireland final proper. 1904: The four provincial winners from Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster were drawn against each other in two All-Ireland semi-finals. The two winners contested