The looming worry for neutrals before this replay was that it would be a disappointment, relatively speaking. It could be a spectacle far exceeding the average game of championship hurling and still pale in comparison with what had led us to this point. Expectations could hardly be higher. It’s tough to follow on from the most memorable, dramatic hurling championship seen in over a decade and the heart weakening, mouth drying epic in Croke Park just under 3 weeks previously. How can a final act live up to that? Surely we couldn't get another epic battle? Sequels are usually a disappointment for a reason.
With the shadow of the autumn dusk settling around a floodlit Croke Park it felt as if the scene was set, and all that was left was for the teams to pull us into disbelief and wonder one final time. But what can top what we've already seen? You’d almost feel desensitized to the drama of it all after this summer.
So, Shane O’Donnell - 19 years old, in his first year of senior inter-county hurling and only brought into the starting 15 in the final moments before throw in - scores a hat-trick in the opening 20 minutes.
What do you do with that? What could Cork do?
Clare started the stronger, almost blowing Cork away in the opening 25 minutes with O’Donnell’s goals. The Banner were 1-04 to 0-02 up after just 8 minutes and only a goal from an Anthony Nash free – a thing of savage power that somehow shot past 12 Clare men on the goal-line – kept Cork alive early on. Nash’s free was just a speed bump for Davy Fitz and co. however, and Clare were up 3-09 to 1-07 after 26 minutes.
With O’Donnell’s hat-trick in the bag, and Clare ahead by 8 points, neutrals presumably felt a strange mix of awe and deflation as they sat with eyelids peeled back in wonder at O’Donnell’s feat while concurrently realising the chances of a repeat of the first final’s late dramatics were growing remote.
From then, however, Clare seemed to wilt while Cork pushed out their chests and took every chance falling their way. The gap was down to 4 by half-time, with Cork’s forward trio of Harnedy, Cronin and Horgan scoring before the break.
The second half began in the same vein. Clare hit the first score, through Tony Kelly, but they would get just 1 point in the opening 10 minutes. Meanwhile, Horgan got another 4 points, while Stephen Moylan, on as a half-time sub for Luke O’Farrell, got another. Clare were crumbling and when, in quick succession, Conor McGrath’s shot from the wing fell harmlessly into the hands of Anthony Nash and Colin Ryan hit the post with a routine free you started to wonder if Cork might be lining up the great larceny again, but were set to get it right this time.
At that point Clare had just 1 point in over 20 minutes of hurling. Cork had 8 in that period. Then, as if to reassure Clare that they would regret those misses, Patrick Horgan got a free in an easy spot less than 45 from goal, knocked it over the bar and the sides were level for the first time since the 4th minute. You felt Clare had to arrest the slide immediately if they were to deny Cork, but suspected it might already be too late.
Then O’Donnell popped up with a point that was more determination and confidence than anything else. The Eire Og forward surged down the middle of the field, towards goal, eschewing the passing option. His shot flew directly between the posts and put Clare back ahead. Then John Conlon popped up with another from play to go with a successful Colin Ryan free and, as quick as it had seemed to fall apart, Clare were back on top by 3.
But, of course, a direct line to the finish wouldn’t be in keeping with the theme of this year’s championship. Cork went straight back up the field and Seamus Harnedy buried the rebound from a saved Conor Lehane shot. Level again. 3-13 to 2-16.
That parity, of course, didn’t last long. Clare and, more specifically, Conor McGrath hit a fourth goal – this one a top corner rocket. You felt that familiar feeling from throughout the summer creeping back in. This was something special.
Tony Kelly tacked on another, and Shane O’Donnell made it 3-3 from play to put the gap at 5.
Stephen Moylan brought it back to 3 points with a third Cork goal. Jimmy Barry Murphy's side refused to fade away. A scramble in the game's dying moments near the Clare goal saw Harnedy almost get the potentially leveling shot away, but Clare cleared at full stretch and surged forward once again. The clock ticked on towards the completion of the two minutes stoppage time and, just in case we hadn't had enough, Darach Honan chipped in with an eighth goal of the game, putting Clare ahead 5-16 to 3-16.
As Pat Donellan raised Liam and spoke of the hope that this Clare team could go on to make Septembers in Croke Park a regular trip you would have been forgiven for being left searching for a shred of doubt. Worthy winners of the most memorable of hurling championships.
Photo: Shane O'Donnell holds the Liam McCarthy Cup while being lifted in front of Hill 16 by team mates
Credit: ©INPHO/Donall Farme
