Clare 3-29 Cork 1-34 (AET)
It was a game for the ages in 2013, and so it was once more 11 years on, that needed extra-time to separate the sides as a rampant Clare were reeled in by Cork’s determination and their own nerves in normal time before they finally found the answers in extra-time.
It was a victory built on never-say-die and courage and the sorcery of Tony Kelly and the genius of Shane O’Donnell, with a supporting cast of giants that included heroes all over the field, like other veterans of 2013 such as John Conlon and David McInerney, while the young turks that have come through the ranks under Brian Lohan’s watch were huge too.
In the end it was points by Kelly, Aidan McCarthy and Shane Meehan that were enough to stave a late rally via two Patrick Horgan frees as they edged home to a one-point victory that carried Clare to a fifth All-Ireland title.
When Tony Kelly scored a goal for the ages in the 51st minute, Clare’s second of the half after Mark Rodgers had shaken the rigging just nine minutes in, to add to Aidan McCarthy’s first-half strike it looked like they had the bit between their teeth to kick on to glory.
That they didn’t was down to Cork’s determination to stay, with it veteran Horgan landed the crucial points down the stretch to bring it to extra-time. Only then could everyone in the capacity crowd draw some breath after an incredible contest.
It was Cork that got the fast start when Robert Downey fielded a puck-out from Eibhear Quilligan and then left Peter Duggan for dead with a 70-yard run before he blasted to the net as the chant of Rebels, Rebels rent the air.
It was just 13 minutes in and Cork had built up a 1-7 to 0-3 lead and they seemed to be on their way, only to lose their way by half-time thanks to the resoluteness of every one in a saffron and blue hue and the genius of Shane O’Donnell.
After 16 minutes he was twice involved in a move that saw him create a goal chance out of nothing for Aidan McCarthy that he blasted to the net to finally signal Clare’s arrival at this All-Ireland final.
They’d been very sluggish in the opening stages as Tim O’Mahony, Shane Barrett, Brian Hayes and Seamie Harnedy (2) landed good points, while only for a couple of inspirational efforts from wing-back Diarmuid Ryan they could have been trailing by more than seven points as the end of the first quarter approached.
However, everything changed when O’Donnell slalomed through – the rest of the forwards were liberated and the scores flowed as they landed eight of the last 12 scores before half-time.
It was a tour-de-force that left the Rebels reeling. McCarthy (3), O’Donnell (2), David Fitzgerald, Rodgers and Reidy all helped Clare to hit the front for the first time in the 32nd minute.
Cork were level at the break thanks to a Darragh Fitzgibbon point but it was Clare had looked like winners after Mark Rodgers’ goal, but it wasn’t until extra-time that they found those killer scores.
It was the defiance as much as the hurling, with captain Kelly’s leadership when it mattered most being the difference between the sides as the Banner County roared like it did in 1914, 1995, 1997 and 2013.
One hundred and ten years after the first, this was the drive-for-five. Selector Ken Ralph had said after the Munster Final defeat to Limerick that it would take three games to win an All-Ireland. This was the third and it was thoroughly deserved.
Something that was summed up in the victory speech of Tony Kelly when he singled out Brian Lohan for special mention: “In Clare hurling is like a religion and Brian Lohan is like our God.”
Nothing else remained to be said.
Scorers for Clare: Aidan McCarthy (1-7, 3f, 1 ‘65), Tony Kelly (1-4), Mark Rodgers (1-3), Diarmuid Ryan (0-3), David Fitzgerad (0-3), Shane O’Donnell (0-2), David Reidy (0-2), Peter Duggan (0-2, 1 sideline), Ryan Taylor (0-1), Ian Galvin (0-1), Shane Meehan (0-1).
Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan (0-12, 9f), Rob Downey (1-0), Seamus Harnedy (0-4), Tim O’Mahony (0-3), Mark Coleman (0-3), Shane Barrett (0-2), Brian Hayes (0-2), Darragh Fitzgibbon (0-2), Shane Kingston (0-2), Alan Connolly (0-1), Eoin Downey (0-1), Ciaran Joyce (0-1), Robbie O’Flynn (0-1).
Clare: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle); Adam Hogan (Feakle), Conor Cleary (Kilmaley), Conor Leen (Corofin); Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe), John Conlon (Clonlara), David McInerney (Tulla); Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge), Tony Kelly (Ballyea); David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona), Mark Rodgers (Scariff), Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin); Aidan McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona), Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg), David Reidy (Éire Óg). Subs Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones) for Malone (36-38) B/S, Ryan Taylor (Clooney-Quin) for McCarthy (54), Ian Galvin (Clonlara) for Reidy (59), Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones) for Duggan (65), Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones) for Cleary (70), Robyn Mounsey (Ruan) for Rodgers (72), Extra-Time: Aidan McCarthy for Mounsey (70), Cian Galvin (Clarecastle) for Ryan (79), Shane Meehan (The Banner) for O’Donnell (79), Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge) for Malone (86), Shane Meehan for O’Donnell
Cork: Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig); Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), Eoin Downey (Glen Downey (Glen Rovers); Ciaran Joyce (Castlemartyr), Robert Downey (Glen Rovers), Mark Coleman (Blarney); Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville), Seamus Harnedy (St Ita’s); Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers), Alan Connolly (Blackrock), Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s). Subs Ethan Twomey (St Finbarr’s) for Dalton (48), Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields) for Connolly (63), Shane Kingston (Douglas) for Barrett (65), Robbie O’Flynn (Erin’s Own) for Harnedy (67), Tommy O’Connell (Midleton) for Eoin Downey (74),. Extr-atoeGer Mellerick (Fr O’Neills) for O’Donoghue (79), Damian Cahalane (St Finbarr’s) for O’Leary, Luke Meade (Newcestown) for O’Mahony (85).
Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)