CLARE ended their season on a high with a hard fought five-point win played during a biblical storm in Cusack Park this afternoon.
Clare got the perfect start thanks to Shane O’Donnell who found the net after just 20 seconds as Cusack Park erupted with delight. Cork fought back thanks to points from Horgan and Cadogan but once The Banner found their groove, they were causing Cork all sorts of problems. Peter Duggan and Tony Kelly were massively influential, and scored 1-7 between them in the first half. The goal coming in the 34th minute when Kelly buried a blistering shot in the top right-hand corner to send Cusack Park wild once more.
Three late points for Cork narrowed the gap slightly but Clare still lead 2-10 to 1-8 after an excellent first half.
Cork flew out of the blocks at the start of the second half with four early points courtesy of Horgan with two, as Alan Cadogan and Daragh Fitzgibbon both raised white flags.
Clare were in no mood to be denied though and Diarmuid Ryan and Duggan led the Banner charge in the second half. Ryan notched two fine points in a good display while Peter Duggan ended with a handsome tally of 11 points.
Colm Galvin also had a fine game, scoring two points from midfield.
It’s hard to stress how bad the weather was with thunder and lightning over Ennis, and driving rain making conditions impossible but this did not halt the Patrick Horgan-led Cork comeback.
Horgan’s second goal came with roughly six minutes remaining and narrowed the gap to just one but again Clare responded when under pressure. Late points from Duggan, Galvin and two from substitute Cathal McInerney ensured that the Banner would prevail.
It was a bittersweet victory as Clare bow out of the championship, but they do so with their heads held high.
Clare: Donal Tuohy; Pat O’Connor, David McInerney, Jason McCarthy; Cathal Malone, Jack Browne, Conor Cleary; Colm Galvin Aidan McCarthy; Peter Duggan, Tony Kelly, Diarmuid Ryan; Shane O’Donnell, John Conlon, Seadna Morey.
Cork: Anthony Nash; Sean O’Donoghue, Eoin Cadogan, Niall O’Leary; Robert Downey, Mark Ellis, Mark Coleman; Bill Cooper, Darragh Fitzgibbon; Daniel Kearney, Seamus Harnedy, Luke Meade; Alan Cadogan, Pat Horgan, Aidan Walsh.
Roisin O Connell, Amy Madden, Orla Cremmin and Sarah Wiley before the Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyCaptains Séamus Harnedy of Cork and Patrick O Connor of Clare with referee before their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyDonal Moloney, Clare Joint Manager with his players before their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyThe Clare team stand for the anthem before their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyShane O Donnell of Clare scores despite Eoin Cadogan, Niall O’Leary and Anthony Nash of Cork during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyShane O Donnell of Clare celebrates his early goal against Cork during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyMark Ellis of Cork in action against Peter Duggan of Clare during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyPeter Duggan of Clare and Mark Coleman of Cork show some early passion during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyColm Galvin of Clare in action against Luke Meade of Cork during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyJohn Conlon of Clare in action against Eoin Cadogan of Cork during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyGerry O Connor, Clare Joint Manager and another Cork mentor exchange views during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyGerry O Connor, Clare Joint Manager and another Cork mentor exchange views during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyShane O Donnell of Clare in action against Niall O’Leary of Cork during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyJason Mc Carthy of Clare watches his point go over during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyJohn Conlon of Clare loses his helmet to Eoin Cadogan of Cork during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyPeter Duggan of Clare in action against Mark Ellis of Cork during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyDiarmuid Ryan of Clare in action against Bill Cooper of Cork during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyReferee gives Peter Duggan of Clare a yellow card during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyJohn Conlon of Clare in action against Eoin Cadogan of Cork during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyJohn Conlon of Clare celebrates a point during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyAidan Mc Carthy of Clare in action against Mark Coleman of Cork during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyAidan Mc Carthy of Clare in action against Bill Cooper and Robert Downey of Cork during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyTony Kelly of Clare celebrates his goal during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyFans do battle with the rain during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyFans do battle with the rain during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyFans do battle with the rain during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyStephen McDonnell of Cork and Tony Kelly of Clare exchange views during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyReferee shows both Stephen McDonnell of Cork and Tony Kelly of Clare yellow cards during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyRyan Taylor of Clare in action against Luke Meade of Cork during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellySeán O’Donoghue of Cork in action against Diarmuid Ryan of Clare during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyDarragh Fitzgibbon of Cork in action against Colm Galvin of Clare during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyShane O Donnell of Clare in action against Niall O’Leary of Cork during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyDamien Cahalane of Cork has a few words for Shane O Donnell of Clare during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyTony Kelly of Clare in action against Stephen McDonnell of Cork during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyShane O Donnell of Clare in action against Mark Ellis of Cork during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyTony Kelly of Clare reacts late on during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyTony Kelly of Clare dries off his hurley during at shower in their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyPeter Duggan and Diarmuid Ryan of Clare have a quiet word during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyConor Lehane of Cork in action against Podge Collins of Clare during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyMark Ellis of Cork in action against Peter Duggan of Clare during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyAron Shanagher and Shane O Donnell of Clare in action against Damien Cahalane and Niall O’Leary of Cork during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyX in action against X Donal Moloney, Clare Joint Manager during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyDonal Moloney, Clare Joint Manager during their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyDamien Cahalane of Cork and Aron Shanagher of Clare following their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyA clearly emotional Niall O Connor, son of Gerry O Connor, Clare Joint Manager, following their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John KellyDonal Moloney, Clare Joint Manager talks to the waiting media following their Munster Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John Kelly
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