There was a significant turnout on Sunday afternoon at Croke Park, for the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship finale between teams from Cork and Clare. The crowd flowed into neighbouring streets and pubs, each person brimming with varying degrees of hope for their home counties’ prospects.
The buzzing activity on the humid Jones’ Road was awash with hues of red, blue, and yellow. Spectators busied themselves in anticipation of the game; scrambling for last-minute tickets, locating the closest pub for a pre-match pint of cider, or reconnecting with old acquaintances.
For Pat Keane, a resident of Co Clare’s Sixmilebridge, the atmosphere mirrored the excitement of Christmas Day for hurling enthusiasts. People had differing views on how Cork’s stunning victory over Limerick in the semi-finals, which denied Limerick a fifth consecutive All-Ireland title, might influence the upcoming match.
Sporting his Cork jersey with a denim jacket, Sean Murphy from Youghal expressed his hopes for the championship. “Cork deserves a victory after such a long drought, particularly after defeating the favourites not once, but twice this season,” he shared, adding that not winning after three attempts would be rather unfortunate, especially for the passionate constituents of the Cork strongholds.
Nonetheless, Flan Lynch offered a different perspective. He was of the opinion that Cork’s previous victory against Limerick was their significant achievement, subtly downplaying their chances to claim the title.
The Higgins clan of Lissycasey, Co Clare are divided in their allegiances. Joe, a Wilton, Cork City native, sported red colours, whilst his wife, Lorraine, embraced a meld of blue and yellow. A couple of hours prior to the game, they remained enthusiastic. Joe confidently expresses his hope of avenging the 2013 defeat by Clare, a sentiment echoed by their son Harry, who donned a jersey split between Cork and Clare colours.
In 2013, Lorraine watched the All-Ireland final replay at Croke Park, where Shane O’Donnell led Clare to victory over Cork, earning Clare their fourth All-Ireland title. She gestured towards Harry and recollected how he was yet unborn during that match.
Meanwhile, Paul Higgins of Ballingcollig, Co Cork, lingered on North Circular Road on Sunday, uncertain of his presence at the All-Ireland final. He optimistically held a sign, pleading for spare tickets, hopeful for Cork’s prospects. According to him, defeating Limerick in a previous match had boosted the Rebel County’s morale. His hopes of obtaining a last-minute ticket, however, seemed bleak, as his wife, Teresa, wryly remarks, “Slim and slimmer by the second.”
Despite the tension of predictions, the game held a festive air, particularly amongst the ticket holders. Mr. Higgins, a Wilton native, praises the unique atmosphere of the occasion, even comparing it favorably to a Premiership game. He fondly remembers the semi-final where an impressive 80,000 enthusiastic supporters gathered. Mr. Higgins hopes for an equally sensational match, hoping that the victor, preferably the team in red, emerges deservedly. The excitement is echoed by Mr. Lynch’s comment, “Everyone’s on a high.”