“All-Ireland SHC final showcase: Clare secures the title 3-29 Cork’s effort measured at 1-34 in the extended gameplay.
“A solitary point in the lead is all you need when the final whistle blows,” used to be the mantra of Kevin Heffernan, the renowned Dublin football genius. This sentiment echoed throughout the entire Clare county as the final whistle by Limerick’s referee, Johnny Murphy, marked the end of a thrilling and drama-packed match. It was a contest with the slimmest of margins after a 90-minute rollercoaster that emotionally exhausted the maxed-out crowd.
The unadorned truth is Clare emerged as the champions of the 2024 All-Ireland hurling tournament. In an intense conclusion, Clare withstood Cork in the closing moments of additional time, clinching the victory by the essential point. However, it was more than just a typical endgame; it was akin to a grand opera finale. The hurling competition this season has been absolutely captivating, making this culmination apt.
As Tony Kelly, one of the star players from 2013 and the Clare captain, raised the Liam MacCarthy, the moment resonated with a myriad of parallels. Despite an injury-riddled year, he saved his best performance for the most important stage. His contribution of 1-4, 1-2, reflecting extraordinary skill, especially under tight conditions, aided in securing the game-winning point during regular play. No other player did more that day to enable his team’s victory.
On the other hand, Cork, a team that participated in several high-intensity matches this season, did not go down without a fight. As the crucial final seconds ticked away, their desperate struggle to regain control of a game, which had always remained within their grasp and once seemed potentially winnable, heightened.
The showdown, marked by scoring spurts, saw both teams neck and neck through the majority of the match. Equal points marked the half-time scoreboard and full time, including midway through the additional time. However, this balanced tally faltered in the climactic last 10 minutes.”
As extra time’s injury-time was dwindling, a controversial wide call came from Robbie O’Flynn, a decision disputed as it appeared the Cork player was fouled in the course of setting up the critical strike.
It’s difficult to know where to begin when reviewing the encounter. In the opening 15 minutes, Cork appeared ready to utilise and benefit from the hard won experience of their most recent final to outmatch Clare. Their game started strong, with a noteworthy lead of three points in the first four minutes, thanks to Tim O’Mahony, Séamus Harnedy, and Shane Barrett’s exceptional performance.
The situation seemed to confirm Clare’s deepest apprehensions. Cork not only led with speed but also created significant opportunities, which they seized. Yet, a swift comeback followed. Diarmuid Ryan, who scored twice, and Mark Rodgers quickly equalised the game within a minute and a half.
A common source of agitation, wides, brought unpredictable shifts. They didn’t fall as easily for Clare as they did for Cork.
In the 12th minute disaster seemed imminent when Robert Downey scored a spectacular goal, catching the ball beyond Peter Duggan and sprinting down the pitch with his defender unable to keep up, resulting in a striking shot into the Canal goal: 0-3 to 1-7.
However, mirroring their comeback at Pairc Uí Chaoimh, Clare bounced back strong in the later stages of the match.
The anticipation of a grand showdown was building when Clare responded with 1-4 of their own against a point from Mark Coleman, bringing the lead down to a single point. The goal was courtesy of Shane O’Donnell, who made a remarkable entrance into the game after barely participating initially.
A long inbound pass from David McInerney, who showed unwavering composure, found O’Donnell, who exchanged passes with Duggan before lobbing the ball to Aidan McCarthy who was fouled in the process. On his part, McCarthy, known for his semi-final expertise in dead balls, impressively found the net.
O’Donnell further cemented his contender status for HOTY by adding a swift point. Notably, by half-time, the score was a tied 1-12, which was hardly a surprise given the turn of events.
Despite aspirations of replicating their semi-final ousting of Limerick through a powerful third-quarter performance, Cork’s hopes were dashed. Clare’s defence, despite early yellow cards for two of its backline, Adam Hogan and Conor Cleary, remained solid. Despite an occasionally erratic refereeing style that could interrupt play sporadically, the team had a tough time wringing free kicks from the game.
John Conlon, whose speed was frequently touted as the decider, didn’t live up to the hype, with neither Shane Barrett nor Darragh Fitzgibbon able to exploit any weaknesses. By the game’s conclusion, Clare’s centre back was resolute, providing reliable support for the rest of the defence.
Cork’s effective long puck-out strategy, which unhinged Limerick, didn’t achieve similar results versus Clare’s steadfast half backs. Two goals in the third-quarter set Clare on a winning course: a 40th minute score from Rodgers, who slipped through Cork’s defences, and an 11th-minute goal from Kelly, who skilfully flicked the ball over the defence and dispatched it to the net.
Despite being outplayed, Cork persisted in their attempts, while Clare never felt entirely at ease with their lead. The All-Ireland final was no exception. Kelly appeared to secure victory with another outstanding goal, but Aron Shanagher fouled Tommy O’Connell, leading to a simple equalising free kick.
As the match entered extra time, it seemed the narrative would stay consistent as substitutions were made amid tired team-mates. Clare managed to gain a three-point lead by the 88th minute, which they held onto this time.
Victory was met with a rush of celebration. Brian Lohan, the successful manager, navigated through his triumphant team and supporters. After an unwavering five-year quest for victory, he successfully delivered a Liam MacCarthy Cup, seeing Clare return to the prestigious heights where he had once played during the venerated 1990s era.
This season brought a fair share of highs and lows: participation in the national league, culminating in a heart-rending loss against reigning victors and eternal competitors, Limerick. The initial contest in Ennis was practically handed over to them, avoiding the need to fight for it on hostile ground.
Yet here we stand, with a team that has risen to be champions for the fifth time – despite being in a fiercely contested championship, they were able to pull ahead by just one point in the most decisive match of the year.
Clare’s team lineup was as follows: Goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan; Defenders Conor Leen, Adam Hogan, Conor Cleary; Midfielders Diarmuid Ryan (0-3), John Conlon, David McInerney; Forwards Cathal Malone, Tony Kelly (1-4), David Fitzgerald (0-3), Mark Rodgers (1-3), Peter Duggan (0-2, 0-1 sideline), with Aidan McCarthy (1-7, 0-3 frees, 0-1 65), Shane O’Donnell (0-2), and David Reidy (0-2). Substitutions made included Darragh Lohan replacing Malone temporarily, from 36-37 mins; Ryan Taylor (0-1) subbing in for McCarthy at 55 mins; Ian Galvin (0-1) for Reidy at 59 mins; Aron Shanagher replacing Duggan at 66 mins; with Lohan coming on for Cleary with 71 mins on the clock. Other substitutions include Robin Mounsey taking over Rodgers’ spot at 73 mins; McCarthy relieving Mounsey during extra time; Cian Galvin taking over from Ryan at 80 mins; Shane Meehan (0-1) substituting O’Donnell at the 80-min mark; and finally Seadna Morey coming on for Malone with 87 minutes played.
The recent match at CORK featured players such as Patrick Collins and Niall O’Leary alongside Eoin Downey, who scored 0-1, and the team captain Seán O’Donoghue. Robert Downey managed to rake in 1-0 while Ciarán Joyce, Mark Coleman, and Tim O’Mahony scored 0-1, 0-3, and 0-3 respectively. With Darragh Fitzgibbon contributing a score of 0-2, Declan Dalton, Shane Barrett, Séamus Harnedy, Patrick Horgan, Alan Connolly, and Brian Hayes also made their contributions. However, during the game, several substitutions took place. Shane Kingston replaced Hayes temporarily from the 43rd to the 47th minute. Other substitutes included Ethan Twomey for Dalton (49 mins), Jack O’Connor for Connolly (64 mins), Shane Kingston (who scored 0-2) for Barrett (66 mins), Robbie O’Flynn (who scored 0-1) for Harnedy (68 mins), Tommy O’Connell for R Downey (74 mins), Ger Mellrick for O’Donoghue (79 mins), Damien Cahalane for O’Leary (80 mins), and Luke Meade for O’Mahony (85 mins). The game was refereed by Johnny Murphy from Limerick.