All-Ireland SHC final replay
Cork v Clare
Saturday, 5pm
Croke Park, Dublin
Ref: James McGrath (Westmeath)
Latest from the medics and management…
After three weeks to mull it over, Jimmy Barry-Murphy makes just one change to the Cork side and brings the physical presence of Cian McCarthy into the half-forward line. Jamie Coughlan, who was subbed off after a scoreless first half in the drawn game, is the man to make way.
There had been some speculation about the fitness of Seamus Harnedy in recent weeks but he is named again at wing-forward.
Cork: Anthony Nash; Stephen McDonnell, Shane O’Neill, Conor O’Sullivan; Brian Murphy, Christopher Joyce, William Egan; Lorcan McLoughlin, Daniel Kearney; Seamus Harnedy, Cian McCarthy, Patrick Cronin; Luke O’Farrell, Patrick Horgan, Conor Lehane.
With no injury worries to disrupt his plans, Davy Fitzgerald was free to name the same Clare XV for a third straight game.
That means that David McInerney, Colm Galvin, Tony Kelly and Podge Collins — all of whom starred in the Banner’s U21 win a fortnight ago — will have a chance to double down with a senior title this evening.
But there is no place for Shane O’Donnell despite speculation that the Eire Óg teenager was set to be included in the full-forward line.
Clare: Patrick Kelly; Domhnall O’Donovan, David McInerney, Cian Dillon; Brendan Bugler, Pat Donnellan (c), Patrick O’Connor; Conor Ryan, Colm Galvin; John Conlon, Tony Kelly, Colin Ryan; Podge Collins, Darach Honan, Conor McGrath.
Checking the odds…
Can you split them? Because the bookies can’t. Both Cork and Clare are there to be backed at 11/10 to win in 70 minutes, while an unprecedented second draw is priced up at 9/1.
If you think they will really be inseparable, it’s 20/1 apiece for both counties to win it in extra time.
Clues from the form guide…
It will be long forgotten come throw-in time this evening but the thrilling 0-25 to 3-16 draw did answer an awful lot of questions for us.
Can this young Clare team handle the pressure of the big occasion? Yes they can — and not only have they been there and done that now, they were better team the last day and should grow for that.
Do Cork have the players to create and score chances? Yes they do. Not only did they score three the last day (in comparison to one from their four previous championship matches) but don’t forget that Anthony Nash had a 21-yard free and a penalty saved as well.
INPHO
But while it answered a lot, the drawn game also posed a few new questions for us. In particular, how can Cork win more of their own puck-outs? We know Nash can hit the ball a mile but if Clare win 17 Cork puck-outs as they did the last day, it’s going to be an uphill battle.
The game breakers are…
Isn’t every man a game breaker in an All-Ireland final? Sometimes it’s the man you would never expect, as Domhnall O’Donovan reminded us with his timely first Championship point.
You don’t need to have the hurling brain of Jimmy Barry-Murphy to know that Cork’s half-forwards were a distant second best the last day, particularly under the high ball. The decision to start Cian McCarthy is a first step towards fixing that and his one-on-one battle with his marker — whoever that may be — will be an important barometer in the opening quarter.
Again, right up until the moment James McGrath throws the ball in, there will be discussion and debate about the role Clare captain Patrick Donnellan will play. Using Donnellan as a sweeper was Davy’s masterstroke in the quarter- and semi-finals, one which left Galway and Limerick completely flummoxed. But Clare and Donnellan lined up man-on-man in the drawn game and showed themselves to be quite comfortable in those battles. Will Davy change it up again?
There was no shortage of players who put their stamp on the drawn game: Nash, O’Neill, Harnedy and Horgan in particular for Cork; Bugler, the two Ryans, Kelly and Collins for Clare. Any one of them could tilt a tight game in their side’s favour.
INPHO
Gazing into the crystal ball…
Make no mistake about it, this Cork team has another gear or two beyond what they showed the last day. There were a lot of uncharacteristic mistakes — particularly with passes not going to hand — and you have to think that they will improve.
While Clare’s half-backs were awesome, the totality of their dominance will have surprised even their admirers. Give Jimmy Barry-Murphy and his backroom team three weeks to come up with a plan and you can be sure that Cork’s forwards will have a different approach today.
But this game will not be decided just by Clare’s defence, Cork’s attack and who dominates whom. In Tony Kelly and Podge Collins, Clare have two of the most exciting young talents in the country and in Colin Ryan, an absolutely lethal free-taker.
Last day Clare created more chances, converted more chances, and came out on top of the bulk of the individual battles across the field.
If they improve to their potential Cork will tip that balance back towards them — but probably not enough.
Verdict: Clare
Liberty Insurance’s five top tips for travelling fans
(1) Have a pre-match check upThe last thing you want to do is miss the game because you are stuck in the side of the M7 with a broken down car. Make sure your car is match fit – check the oil, tyres, battery and engine before you hit the road.
(2) Know your Limit
The only points you want to see Saturday are the ones on the pitch – not on your license. Stay within the speed limit, get safely to the game and safely home.
(3) Keep Children Calm
Are we there yet? It’s not just children who will be impatient to get to Croke Park. Whether your back seat passengers are kids or just big kids don’t let them distract you from the road.
(4) Don’t Leave the Match Ticket in the Car
Whether you park in a car park or on the road, make sure you take not just the ticket but also all your valuables with you. A smashed window equals a long and windy drive back home.
(5) The only free off the pitch is hands free
Ok, so someone finally gets to lift Liam MacCarthy cup and you want to relive every puck of the game with your mates on the way home. Remember that to stay within the law you need to have a voice-activated or hands-free phone system – so if you don’t, just tune into the post match banter on the radio. And don’t text that great picture of Pa Cronin or Pat Donnellan lifting the cup till you get home!
