All-Ireland SHC Final: Clare win epic encounter

Image: George Hatchell
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All Ireland SHC Final

Clare 3-29 Cork 1-34

By Cian O’Connell

One of the greatest ever All-Ireland SHC deciders, eventually concluded with Tony Kelly climbing the Hogan Stand steps to collect the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

A compelling contest, that raged with intensity from first whistle until last, ended in a Clare triumph. Defiant until the bitter end, Brian Lohan’s charges prevailed.

Cork brought similar industry and passion, but Clare, inspired by the brilliance of captain Kelly, triumphed.

Kelly’s 1-4 was crucial for Clare, who overcame a shaky start to earn a first All-Ireland since 2013. Eleven years ago against the same opposition Kelly starred, and on this occasion some of his imaginative interventions decided a game for the ages.

Where do you start? Cork’s blistering opening? Clare’s gritty revival? Kelly’s genius? Patrick Horgan’s ice cool composure? John Conlon’s leadership? Those were only some of the issues peppering the conversations before extra-time. Then further drama unfolded.

A burst of four points without reply in the second period of extra-time carried significant weight. It was sufficient to get Clare over the line. Just about because Cork posed questions in the dying embers themselves. Clare stayed resourceful and resilient.

Initially, everything was going so smoothly for Cork. Inside 15 minutes Cork had struck nine shots, accumulating 1-8. It was razor sharp stuff from Pat Ryan’s team, who led 1-8 to 0-4 following Mark Coleman’s splendid point.

The goal, a sensational effort, from Rob Downey had arrived in the 12th minute. Downey gathered a Clare puck out before embarking on a mammoth run from deep, the finish was equally sweet.

Cork’s blistering beginning was reflected on the scoreboard, 1-7 to 0-3. Aidan McCarthy and Coleman traded scores, and it was subsequently Clare’s turn to enjoy a productive spell.

Clare’s mission was boosted by a 17th minute McCarthy major following inventive work by Shane O’Donnell, who manufactured space. O’Donnell rifled over a couple of points and David Fitzgerald trimmed the deficit to the minimum 1-8 to 1-7 in the 22nd minute.

Horgan drilled over a couple of frees as Cork pulled three clear again, but Clare were gutsy. McCarthy, Rodgers, and David Reidy all nailed points to edge the Banner in front on the cusp of half-time.

Darragh Fitzgibbon mustered a reply to ensure the teams departed deadlocked, 1-12 each at the interval. Gripping it most certainly was.

After the restart it remained keenly contested and thrilling, in equal measure. A gorgeous Tim O’Mahony point steered Cork 1-15 to 1-14 ahead, but then Clare pounced.

Mark Rodgers’ supplied a splendid 40th minute goal, but Cork were back trading on terms, 2-14 to 1-17, as Alan Connolly and O’Mahony struck points.

Reidy and Horgan swapped scores ensuring the teams were level again, 2-15 to 1-18, when Kelly returned to centre stage. Kelly’s third goal was a perfect cocktail of skill and speed in the 51st minute.

Four of the next five points were scored by Cork with Séamus Harnedy restoring parity on 58, but it ebbed and flowed. Fitzgerald, Rodgers, substitute Ryan Taylor, and Diarmuid Ryan contributed scores for Clare, who were 3-20 to 1-23 clear with six minutes of normal time left.

Horgan (free) and Coleman trimmed the deficit once more. With the issue delicately poised, Horgan slotted over a pressure free. It continued to blaze, though, as Kelly fired over a remarkable over the shoulder point to nudge Clare one to the good. Cork needed a response with Horgan clipping the equaliser, 3-21 to 1-27 meaning extra-time was necessary.

Reinforcements were required with substitutes Ian Galvin and Shane Kingston swapping points. Aidan McCarthy, who returned to the fray for Clare, put Clare ahead, but Coleman and Kingston replied. It was that sort of encounter with the teams deadlocked, 3-25 to 1-31 at the end of the first period of extra-time.

Robbie O’Flynn guided Cork into the lead, but then a crucial spell occurred. McCarthy (2), Kelly, and Shane Meehan thumped over vital points for Clare. During that stint O’Flynn had a goal attempt thwarted by Eibhear Quilligan too.

In the closing seconds Horgan rifled over two frees, and O’Flynn sent a last gasp effort narrowly wide as Clare, with Conor Leen effective, held out for an immensely satisfying success. Within seconds Lohan was being chaired by members of his backroom. It is an image Clare supporters will cherish forever.

Scorers for Clare: Aidan McCarthy 1-7 (3fs, 1 65), Tony Kelly 1-4, Mark Rodgers 1-3, Diarmuid Ryan and David Fitzgerald 0-3 each, Shane O’Donnell, David Reidy and Peter Duggan (1 sideline) 0-2 each, Shane Meehan, Ian Galvin, and Ryan Taylor 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 0-12 (10fs), Séamus Harnedy 0-4, Rob Downey 1-0, Mark Coleman and Tim O’Mahony 0-3 each, Shane Barrett, Darragh Fitzgibbon Brian Hayes, and Shane Kingston 0-2 each, Robbie O’Flynn, Eoin Downey, Ciarán Joyce, and Alan Connolly 0-1 each.

Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Conor Leen, Adam Hogan, Conor Cleary; Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, David McInerney; Tony Kelly, Cathal Malone; Peter Duggan, Shane O’Donnell, David Fitzgerald; Mark Rodgers, Aidan McCarthy, David Reidy.

Subs: Darragh Lohan for Malone (37-38), Ryan Taylor for McCarthy (55), Ian Galvin for Reidy (59), Aron Shanagher for Duggan (66), Darragh Lohan for Cleary (70+1), Robin Mounsey for Rodgers (70+3), Aidan McCarthy for Mounsey (ET), Cian Galvin for Ryan (80), Shane Meehan for O’Donnell (80), Seadna Morey for Malone (87).

Cork: Patrick Collins; Niall O’Leary, Eoin Downey, Seán O’Donoghue; Mark Coleman, Ciarán Joyce, Rob Downey; Tim O’Mahony, Darragh Fitzgibbon; Declan Dalton, Shane Barrett, Séamus Harnedy; Brian Hayes, Alan Connolly, Patrick Horgan.

Subs: Shane Kingston for Hayes (43-47), Ethan Twomey for Dalton (48), Jack O’Connor for Connolly (64), Shane Kingston for Barrett (66), Robbie O’Flynn for Harnedy (68), Tommy O’Connell for R Downey (70+4), Ger Mellerick for O’Donoghue (79), Damien Cahalane for O’Leary (HT, ET), Luke Meade for O’Mahony (85).

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).