Clare claim fifth All-Ireland SHC crown after edging Cork in an epic

July 21, 2024

Clare captain Tony Kelly lifts the Liam McCarthy Cup ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Clare are All-Ireland senior hurling champions for the first time in 11 years after edging Cork in one of the great finals played at Croke Park.

It finished 3-29 to 1-34 after extra time at headquarters, where the sold-out crowd were treated to an epic and, in the end, many will have felt a draw was the fairest result with neither team deserving to lose on the day given their displays.

After 90 mammoth minutes, the difference between the sides at the finish was Shane Meehan’s point in the final minute of extra time as the Rebels would see a late, late chance to equalise fly wide with Robbie O’Flynn’s jersey being pulled as he struck the sliotar.

Pat Ryan’s side had made a sizzling start to the decider by pucking over two early points and, despite Clare responding well to those, a sensational solo goal from Robert Downey had the Leesiders ahead by 1-7 to 0-3 come the 11th minute.

The Banner men hit back with a goal of their own through Aidan McCarthy some six minutes later and would get their noses in front before Darragh Fitzgibbon’s point sent the sides in all square (1-12 to 1-12) at the break.

Some superb skill from Brian Hayes afforded him the time and space to fire Cork ahead again early in the second-half, but a cracking goal from Mark Rodgers five minutes later put Brian Lohan’s men back in the ascendency.

Some Tony Kelly magic saw Clare finding the net again in the 51st minute, as the Banner captain took a feed from David Fitzgerald before skipping past a couple of challenges to steer the sliotar past an on-rushing Patrick Collins in the Cork goal.

The Rebels recovered well from the blow though, posting points via Patrick Horgan, Eoin Downey and Seamus Harnedy. Despite Clare going up by three again, Ryan’s charges were able to save a draw at the death after Mark Coleman’s point was backed up by a Horgan free and another pressure placed ball from the All-Ireland SHC’s top-scorer to leave it at 3-21 to 1-27 when the Johnny Murphy blew the full-time whistle.

The sides went point for point in the first-half of extra time and, after another brilliant score from Kelly flew over, Aidan McCarthy’s point opened up a two-point gap late in the second period before Meehan provided what proved the insurance for the Banner County’s fifth ever Liam McCarthy Cup triumph.


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