All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final – Cork 3-16 Clare 0-25

Cork and Clare finished level in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final on Sunday September 8th in Croke Park on a scoreline of Cork 3-16 Clare 0-25. The replay will take place on Saturday September 28th at Croke Park.

An emotional, riveting roller-coaster

Cork 3-16 Clare 0-25

By Diarmuid O’Flynn for the Irish Examiner newspaper

All around the world yesterday, in adventure parks from Australia to Japan and the United States, there were people thrilling to rides that compete for the title of greatest roller-coaster in the world. ‘Tower of Terror’, ‘Steel Dragon’, ‘Intimidator 305’, ‘Thunder Dragon’, they’re all in there, gut-churning twists and turns, breathtaking drops that suck the breath from your lungs. None, absolutely none, would have offered the thrills and spills thrown up by this game at a packed Croke Park yesterday, which left both sets of supporters utterly drained.

It began, as do all the best roller-coaster rides, in fairly gentle fashion. In perfect conditions, Clare were first to register, two early points on the board per Darach Honan and free-taker Colin Ryan (another masterful display, 12 points, 11 from 13 from placed balls). By the 12th minute it was still moving along smoothly, tied on four each after points from Cork’s Seamus Harnedy and three from their ace marksman Patrick Horgan (as with Ryan, superb, ten points, eight from nine from frees).

Then it began to take off, or more specifically, Clare began to take off. Contrary to most expectations they parked the sweeper system that had served them so well against Galway and Limerick, went with convention, albeit with captain Patrick Donnellan in midfield rather at centre-back, Patrick O’Connor manning that position while Conor Ryan took dangerman Harnedy.

With their defence on top, suffocating the Cork attack after that early little burst, Clare went on four-point run, sandwiched around a fine save by Cork keeper Anthony Nash from a Honan first-time ground shot. It was looking ominous for the Rebels, the Banner roar rising as they began to thrill to the exploits of their young side. Coming up to half-time they were four points ahead, 0-12 to 0-8 but also had three wides on the board to none for Cork. Two late points though gave Cork hope, the first from raiding centre-back Brian Murphy, the second a huge effort by Patrick Horgan after a lovely little one-handed pass by Conor O’Sullivan, leaving it 0-12 to 0-10 at half-time. Flattering for Cork, though they had threatened in the 18th minute especially, Patrick Kelly saving well from Daniel Kearney, then saving the subsequent 20m bullet free by Anthony Nash (illegally — was almost on the 13m line!), a Podge Collins point resulting at the other end.

The second half however was when this roller-coaster really took off. Always it was Clare out front, two early points again (Tony Kelly and Colin Ryan) to start the second half, extending their lead to four. Then came the first major twist, Conor Lehane announcing his presence with a spectacular solo goal, rounding Patrick O’Connor, then a 40 metre solo before sending a searing shot across Kelly. Even as Cork voices soared to the Drumcondra heavens, however, back came Clare and by the 55th minute, Collins (a truly magical effort from the left wing, mesmerising three Cork defenders), John Conlon, Conor McGrath and Colin Ryan (four) with the scores, they had established what looked a commanding five-point lead, 0-21 to 1-13.

Time for two quick twists. 57th minute, disdaining a succession of nonsensical physical challenges as he made his way upfield, Anthony Nash buried a 20 metre free. Hardly had he made his back to his own goals however than he was called upfield again, Seamus Harnedy taken down by a combination of David McInerney and Cian Dillon — Cork penalty. Guaranteed goal, surely? Not this time, Colin Ryan somehow getting his stick to the shot to deflect it onto the crossbar, then free out. Cork cheers dyed in their throats, Clare in seventh heaven. Not for long.

Clare did get the next two scores, first Colin Ryan from a free, then man-of-the-match Conor Ryan with a truly inspirational point — huge catch (the Clare half-back line brilliant in this department all game), surge forward, then a long-range score. Four points ahead again (0-23 to 2-13), eight minutes remaining – this was surely now Clare’s All-Ireland title.

But no, not even close, this roller-coaster was just hitting its peak. A Lehane Cork point reduced the deficit to a goal; then half-chance for a Clare goal missed at one end after the ball came back off the crossbar, ends up with Cork sub Stephen Moylan (fine game) who parts to Pa Cronin — absolute net-buster from the Cork captain and now it’s game tied, 0-23 to 3-14, 64th minute. And still it wasn’t over. With the tension at its peak Colin Ryan nosed Clare in front, another free, matched within a minute by a similar score from Horgan.

Into injury-time, ‘At least two minutes’ said the announcer, and in the first minute Patrick Horgan scored a peach of a point — Cork ahead, still ahead as the clock ticked past 72 minutes following Moylan’s wide from a lineball. One last Clare attack, one last twist; the equalising point but it came not from any one of Clare’s six super forwards, nor from their outstanding midfielders, nor yet any of the three heroes of the half-back line. It was that man Domhnall O’Donovan, and what he was doing inside the Cork 65m line only he knows. No matter; gratefully accepting the pass from Nicky O’Connell, off balance, Domhnall split the posts — roller-coaster over, end of the ride. For this day, only for this day.

Replay. Can’t wait.

Scorers for Cork: P Horgan (0-10, eight frees); C Lehane (1-1); P Cronin (1-0); A Nash (1-0, free); S Harnedy (0-2); D Kearney (0-2); B Murphy (0-1).

Scorers for Clare: Colin Ryan (0-12, 11 frees); T Kelly (0-3); P Collins (0-3); C McGrath (0-2); J Conlon (0-2); D Honan, Conor Ryan, D O’Donovan (0-1 each).

CORK: A Nash; S McDonnell, S O’Neill, C O’Sullivan; B Murphy, C Joyce, W Egan; D Kearney, L McLoughlin; S Harnedy, P Cronin (c), C Lehane; L O’Farrell, P Horgan, J Coughlan.

Subs for Cork: S Moylan for Coughlan (35); C McCarthy for McLoughlin (42); C Naughton for McCarthy (inj. 50); T Kenny for Egan (64); S White for Kearney (67).

CLARE: P Kelly; D O’Donovan, C Dillon, D McInerney; B Bugler, Conor Ryan, P O’Connor; T Kelly, C Galvin; Colin Ryan, P Collins, J Conlon; C McGrath, D Honan, P Donnellan (c).

Subs for Clare: C McInerney for Honan (61); F Lynch for Conlon (64); N O’Connell for Galvin (64).

Referee: B Gavin (Offaly)

O’Donovan rescues draw in classic final

Report from the GAA.ie web site

GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final: Clare 0-25 Cork 3-16

An amazing All-Ireland hurling final finished level, with Clare corner-back Domhnall O’Donovan making himself a hero as he hit the equalising point with the last puck of the game at Croke Park. For long stages of the game it looked as though Davy Fitzgerald’s young side would prevail, but Cork’s goalscoring ability – they hit three brilliant goals in the second half – saved them, and they looked set to snatch victory until O’Donovan’s last gasp intervention. The replay will take place on Saturday, September 28, with the time still to be decided.

Clare led at the break by two points, and they lead by four with 62 minutes on the clock. However, Patrick Cronin’s brilliant goal drew Cork level, and after some nervy minutes, Patrick Horgan’s controlled effort split the posts at the end of the first minute of injury-time, and it was advantage Cork. When Cork won a sideline cut off Patrick Kelly, it looked like the game was over, but somehow there was enough time for O’Donovan to put his name in lights.

Three times in the second half, Cork found the net to keep themselves in the game. The first one was shortly after half-time, when Conor Lehane scored a wonderful individual goal to revive flagging Rebel hearts. He made a dashing burst at goal from nowhere, and cracked a brilliant shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net. That made it Clare 0-14 Cork 1-10, and suddenly it was game on. However, Clare responded well to the Cork goal, and points from Conor McGrath, John Conlon and Colin Ryan had Clare 0-19 to 1-12 ahead heading into the final quarter.

The Clare lead swelled to five following another free from Ryan, but on 58 minutes, Nash was handed another chance to score from a 21 metre free. The Kanturk man’s shot was incredible, and it absolutely seared into the roof of the net without a Clare stick even getting close. That left two between them, and incredibly, Cork were awarded a penalty just a minute later. Nash came up again, but this time his shot was deflected onto the bar off Patrick Donnellan’s hurl and cleared away. Clare, buoyed by this, hit two points in the space of a minute from Ryan, one a brilliant effort from play, and Clare lead by four with 62 minutes played.

However, Cork’s goalscoring ability proved key again. Cronin’s goal on 66 minutes was a real beauty, struck with venom into the roof of the net from a good distance out. That levelled up the sides, and then Horgan and Ryan traded frees. However, Horgan’s point on 71 minutes looked like it would be enough to give Cork a famous win. O’Donovan had other ideas though, and the Clonlara man emerged from a thicket of players over on the left wing to split the posts and force an All-Ireland hurling final replay for the second year in a row.

Clare had led 0-12 to 0-10 at half-time, but their advantage probably should have been greater, given their level of dominance in the opening period. They came flying out of the blocks with points from Darach Honan and Ryan (free) but Cork recovered from a nervous opening few minutes to be back level at 0-4 apiece following three frees from Horgan. Points fizzed over in quick succession from Colin Ryan (2 frees), Conor McGrath and Podge Collins to make it 0-8 to 0-4, but Cork had two great goal chances in that period. Daniel Kearney saw a goal-bound effort brilliantly saved by Clare goalkeeper Patrick Kelly, but in the aftermath of the save, Cork were awarded a 21 metre free.

Anthony Nash jogged up to take the puck, but Kelly denied him again with a brave save, diving in front of the powerful strike and getting it clear. Those saves gave Clare further confidence, and they remained on top for the next few minutes, edging 0-11 to 0-6 ahead following more placed-ball accuracy from Ryan. However, Cork revived themselves for the last five minutes of the half, and points from Daniel Kearney, Brian Murphy and Horgan (2) had the Rebels just two behind at the break. One of Horgan’s points, a massive score from play from close to the halfway line on the Hogan Stand side, was a really inspirational one, and just the type Cork needed before going in.

No-one could have predicted how the second half would pan out, and the last 15 minutes were particularly dramatic. In the end, both sides will probably be disappointed with the result, as they both will have felt the game was within their grasp. However, in three weeks’ time they will have a chance to reclaim their destiny.

***

Scorers for Clare: Colin Ryan 0-12 (11f), T Kelly 0-3, P Collins 0-3, C McGrath 0-2, J Conlon 0-2, D Honan 0-1, Conor Ryan 0-1, D O’Donovan 0-1

Scorers for Cork: P Horgan 0-10 (8f), C Lehane 1-1, A Nash 1-0 (1-0 f), P Cronin 1-0, D Kearney 0-2, S Harnedy 0-2, B Murphy 0-1

Clare: P Kelly; D O’Donovan, D McInerney, C Dillon; B Bugler, P Donnellan, P O’Connor; C Ryan, C Galvin; J Conlon, T Kelly C Ryan; P Collins, D Honan, C McGrath. Subs: C McInerney for D Honan (62), N O’Connell for C Galvin (64), F Lynch for J Conlon (64).

Cork: A Nash; S McDonnell, S O’Neill, C O’Sullivan; B Murphy, C Joyce, W Egan; L McLoughlin, D Kearney; S Harnedy, P Cronin, C Lehane; L O’Farrell, P Horgan, J Coughlan. Subs: S Moylan for J Coughlan (HT), C McCarthy for L McLoughlin (42), C Naughton for C McCarthy (50), T Kenny for W Egan (64), S White for D Kearney (67).

Attendance: 81,651

Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly)

2013 Meetings to date

June 23rd – Munster Senior Hurling Semi Final – Cork 0-23 Clare 0-15
Match Report

April 14th – Allianz Hurling League Division 1A Relegation Final – Clare 0-31 Cork 2-23
Match Report

March 16th – Allianz Hurling League Division 1A – Clare 1-22 Cork 1-16
Match Report

February 1st – Waterford Crystal Cup Semi Final – Clare 0-20 Cork 2-11
Match Report

Fixture Details

08.09.2013 (Sun)

GAA Hurling All Ireland Senior Championship Final

An Clár v Corcaigh

Páirc an Chrócaigh, 15.30

Referee: Brian Gavin (Uíbh Fhailí)

Std By: James McGrath (An Iarmhí)

Linesman: Johnny Ryan (Tiobraid Árann)

Sideline: James Owens (Loch Garman)

Umpires – Michael Gavin, David Gavin, William Flynn (all Clara) and PJ Lawlor (Ferbane/Belmont).

Team News

Cork (SH v Clare): A Nash; S McDonnell, S O’Neill, C O’Sullivan; B Murphy, C Joyce, W Egan; L McLoughlin, D Kearney; S Harnedy, P Cronin, C Lehane; L O’Farrell, P Horgan, J Coughlan

FIRST ALL-MUNSTER SEPTEMBER SHOWDOWN FOR SIXTEEN YEARS

For the first time since 1997, when Clare beat Tipperary by a point, the GAA hurling All-Ireland senior final will be an all-Munster affair as Clare take on Cork to decide who succeeds Kilkenny as champions. Their clash in Croke Park on Sunday will throw-in at 3.30 and will be preceded by the Galway-Waterford minor final at 1.15. Cork, who last played in the senior final in 2006 when they lost to Kilkenny, are bidding to win the title for the first time since 2005 while Clare, who last reached the final in 2002, enjoyed their last All-Ireland success in 1997.

Paths to the final

CLARE

Clare 2-20 Waterford 1-15 (Munster quarter-final), Thurles

Cork 0-23 Clare 0-15 (Munster semi-final), Gaelic Grounds

Clare 1-32 Laois 0-15 (All-Ireland qualifiers), Ennis.

Clare 3-24 Wexford 1-20 (All-Ireland qualifiers – after extra-time) Thurles

Clare 1-23 Galway 2-13 (All-Ireland quarter-final), Thurles

Clare1-22 Limerick 0-18 (All-Ireland semi-final), Croke Park

Clare scorers

Colin Ryan……………………….0-51 (0-38 frees, 0-6 ‘65s’)

Tony Kelly……………………….0-16 (0-1 pen)

Padraic Collins………………..0-15

Conor McGrath………………..2-7

Shane O’Donnell……………..3-2

John Conlon……………………..1-8

Darach Honan…………………..0-9

Cathal McInerney………… 2-2

Colm Galvin…………………..0-6

Peter Duggan………………….0-4

Brendan Bugler………………0-3

Patrick O’Connor……………0-3

Fergal Lynch…………………..0-2

Patrick Donnellan……………0-2

Liam Markham………………0-1

David McInerney………….0-1

Cian Dillon………………….0-1

Seadna Morey……………..0-1

Aaron Cunningham………0-1

Nicky O’Connell…………0-1

CORK

Cork 0-23 Clare 0-15 (Munster semi-final), Gaelic Grounds

Limerick 0-24 Cork 0-15 (Munster final), Gaelic Grounds

Cork 0-19 Kilkenny 0-14 (All-Ireland quarter-final), Thurles

Cork 1-24 Dublin 1-19 (All-Ireland semi-final), Croke Park

Cork scorers:

Patrick Horgan……….1-30 (0-20 frees)

Seamus Harnedy………0-9

Jamie Coughlan………..0-6 (0-2 frees)

Pa Cronin………………..0-7

Conor Lehane………….0-7

Luke O’Farrell…………0-6

Daniel Kearney…………0-3

Anthony Nash………….0-5 (0-5 frees)

Stephen Moylan………0-2

Cathal Naughton……..0-1

Cian McCarthy…………0-1

William Egan…………..0-1

Lorcan McLoughlin…0-3

Last Five Championship Clashes

2013: Cork 0-23 Clare 0-15 (Munster semi-final)

2008: Cork 2-19 Clare 2-17 (All-Ireland quarter-final)

2007: Cork 1-18 Clare 1-11 (Munster quarter-final)

2006: Cork 0-20 Clare 0-14 (Munster semi-final)

2005: Cork 0-16 Clare 0-15 (All-Ireland semi-final)

Last Five All-Ireland finals

CORK

2006: Kilkenny 1-16 Cork 1-13

2005: Cork 1-21 Galway 1-16

2004: Cork 0-17 Kilkenny 0-9

2003: Kilkenny 1-14 Cork 1-11

1999: Cork 0-13 Kilkenny 0-12

CLARE

2002: Kilkenny 2-20 Clare 0-19

1997: Clare 0-20 Tipperary 2-13

1995: Clare 1-13 Offaly 2-8

1932: Kilkenny 3-3 Clare 2-3

1914: Clare 5-1 Laois 1-0

This year’s clashes…

This will be fifth meeting between the counties this year with Clare having won the first three before Cork prevailed in the Munster semi-final.

Clare 0-20 Cork 2-11 (Waterford Crystal Cup semi-final, Sixmilebridge, February 1)

Late points by Colin Ryan and Cathal O’Connell edged Clare to victory. They led by 0-10 to 0-7 at half-time.

Clare 1-22 Cork 1-16 (Allianz Hurling League, Pairc Ui Rinn, March 16)

Clare trailed by 0-12 to 0-7 at half-time but won the second half by 1-15 to 1-4 in a remarkable performance which overwhelmed Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s men. Colin Ryan scored 0-12 (0-9 frees) for Clare while Patrick Horgan on 0-9 (0-8 frees, 0-1 ’65’) was Cork’s main marksman.

Clare 0-31 Cork 2-23 (Allianz Hurling League – Div 1A play-off – Gaelic Grounds, April 14)

It took extra-time to separate them in a tense battle to decide who dropped into Division 1B. In the end, it was Cork who lost out in the high-scoring shoot-out. Colin Ryan on 0-10 (0-6 frees), Tony Kelly 0-6 and John Conlon 0-4 were top scorers for Clare while Patrick Horgan 0-11 (0-7 frees), Pa Cronin 1-3 and Luke O’Farrell 1-2 were Cork’s main marksmen.

Cork 0-23 Clare 0-15 (Munster semi-final, Gaelic Grounds, June 23)

Clare led by 0-11 to 0-8 at half-time, having played with the wind but had their advantage quickly wiped out as Cork went on to win the second half by 0-15 to 0-4.

Cork: A Nash (0-2 frees); C O’Sullivan, S McDonnell, S O’Neill; C Joyce, B Murphy, W Egan (0-1); T Kenny, D Kearney (0-1); C McCarthy (0-1), S Harnedy (0-3), C Lehane (0-2); L O’Farrell (0-2), P Horgan (0-8, 0-5 frees), S Moylan

Subs: J Coughlan (0-2) for Moylan; P Cronin (0-1) for McCarthy.

Clare: P Kelly; D O’Donovan, D McInerney, C Dillon; B Bugler, P Donnellan, P O’Connor; C Galvin (0-2), N O’Connell; J Conlon, T Kelly (0-1), C Ryan (0-2, 0-1 free, 0-1 ‘65’); C McGrath (0-2), D Honan (0-2), P Collins (0-5).

Subs: A Cunningham for Conlon; F Lynch for Ryan; S Morey for O’Connell; S O’Donnell (0-1) for McGrath.

ALL-IRELAND HONOURS TABLE

Will Cork cut Kilkenny’s lead to three or will Clare join Galway and Offaly the four mark? Cork are currently four behind Kilkenny and four ahead of Tipperary. Clare will move up to joint 7th with Galway and Offaly if they win.

34: Kilkenny (1904-1905-1907-1909-1911-1912-1913-1922-1932-1933-1935-1939-1947-1957-1963-1967-1969-1972-1974-1975-1979-1982-1983-1992-1993-2000-2002-2003-2006-2007-2008-2009-2011-2012).

30: CORK (1890-1892-1893-1894-1902-1903-1919-1926-1928-1929-1931-1941-1942-1943-1944-1946-1952-1953-1954-1966-1970-1976-1977-1978-1984-1986-1990-1999-2004-2005).

26: Tipperary (1887-1895-1896-1898-1899-1900-1906-1908-1916-1925-1930-1937-1945-1949-1950-1951-1958-1961-962-1964-1965-1971-1989-1991-2001-2010)

7: Limerick (1897-1918-21-34-36-40-73).

6: Dublin (1889-1917-1920-1924-1927-1938).

6: Wexford (1910-1955-1956-1960-1968-1996)

4: Galway (1923-1980-1987-1988)

4: Offaly (1981-1985-1994-1998)

3: CLARE (1914-1995-1997)

2: Waterford (1948-1959)

1: Kerry (1891)

1: Laois (1915)

1: London (1901)

ALL-IRELAND FINAL BRIEFS

*Clare and Cork have met 47 times in the championship with results as follows: Cork 33; Clare 11; Draws 3.

*This will be the fifth year that the All-Ireland title goes to a county that was beaten in their provincial championship. The previous ones were Offaly (1998), Cork (2004), Tipperary (2010), Kilkenny (2012). It’s the first time since 2004 (Cork v Kilkenny) that both finalists were beaten in the provincial championships

*Jimmy Barry-Murphy is bidding for the rare achievement of steering a county to All-Ireland glory in his second term as management. Barry-Murphy led Cork to All-Ireland success in 1999 during his first stint as manager which lasted five seasons (1996-2000). He returned as manager at the start of last season. Barry-Murphy won six All-Ireland senior medals as a dual player: Football – 1973; Hurling: 1976-77-78-84-86.

*Davy Fitzgerald is in his sixth season as an inter-county manager. He led Waterford in 2008-2011 before taking over in his native Clare at the start of last year.

*Both Clare and Cork played Limerick in this year’s championship with contrasting results. Cork lost to Limerick by 0-24 to 0-15 in the Munster final while Clare beat John Allen’s men by 1-22 to 0-18 in the All-Ireland semi-final.

*Cork have scored only one goal (Patrick Horgan v Dublin) and conceded one goal (David Treacy v Dublin) in their four championship games so far this year.

*It’s the first time since 2005 that Kilkenny are not in the senior final.

*Referee, Brian Gavin (Offaly) takes charge of his second senior All-Ireland final, having previously officiated at the Tipperary-Kilkenny decider in 2011.

2013 Championship Top Scorers

Clare’s Colin Ryan looks certain to top the scoring charts in championship 2013 after moving into top spot last Sunday. His 0-11 total against Limerick took him to 0-51 from six games, a point clear of Eoin Larkin (Kilkenny), whose season is finished. Cork’s Patrick Horgan is the only other sharp-shooter in the top ten, who is still involved in the championship but he is 18 points behind Ryan whose returns have been as follows: 0-7 v Waterford; 0-2 v Cork; 0-11 v Laois; 0-10 v Wexford; 0-10 v Galway; 0-11 v Limerick. The top ten are as follows:

Colin Ryan (Clare)……………………….0-51

Eoin Larkin (Kilkenny)………………..0-50

Jack Guiney (Wexford)…………….. 2-40

Paul Ryan (Dublin)……………………..3-32

Patrick Horgan (Cork)……….. ……..1-30

Maurice Shanahan (Waterford)….1-29

Joe Canning (Galway)………………1-25

Derek McNicholas (Westmeath)…..0-21

Joey Boland (Dublin)…………………0-21

Neil McManus (Antrim)…………….2-15

NUACHT RÁITEAS – GAA MEDIA RELEASE

6 Meán Fómhair 2013

Hurling Finals

The GAA and An Garda Síochána would like to inform patrons attending Sunday’s GAA Hurling All-Ireland finals at Croke Park that Jones Road is only open to patrons holding tickets for the Premium Level, Hogan Stand and Nally Terrace.

This means that the Hogan Stand entrance or the Croke Park hotel won’t be available as a meeting point for ticket exchange and collections etc by patrons holding tickets for other areas of the stadium.

The main cordon points around Croke Park on Sunday will be located at:

• Lr. Drumcondra Rd / Clonliffe Rd junction, Fitzroy Ave & Whitworth Place

• North Circular Rd / Gills Corner, Jonses Rd

• Clonliffe Rd / Jones Rd and

• Clonliffe Rd / Ballybough (Sackville, Clonliffe Ave, O’Sullivan Ave)