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Cork and Clare players battle for possession. James Crombie/INPHO

All-Ireland final talking points: Clare put seasons of near-misses to bed, defeat will cut deep for Cork

Clare won 3-29 to 1-34 against Cork after extra-time.

1. Joy for Clare

FOR THE FIRST time in 11 years, Clare have been crowned All-Ireland senior hurling champions. Success will taste sweet after that wait, but also because of the succession of setbacks in defeat that this team have suffered. Clare have lost five Munster finals and three All-Ireland semi-finals since 2017.

Thatโ€™s a lot of pain to absorb, but the resilience and character of the older Clare crew involved in that run to keep going is admirable. They showcased those qualities during this game as well, recovering from an early seven-point deficit to charge into the game.

They got the ultimate reward for their persistence here, landing the silverware they craved and sparking wild celebrations for the countyโ€™s hurling community.

2. Cork suffer heartbreak

Corkโ€™s barren spell will stretch into a second decade. There was a huge desire amongst their playing squad, management and fan base to land the Liam MacCarthy Cup again, but they fell short by a wafer-thin margin after an absorbing encounter. The nature of this defeat will cause immense hurt.

In the 2013 replay, Cork were in chase mode for much of the game. In 2021 they were hammered by Limerick and had little cause for complaint. This felt different.

In a game that ebbed and flowed, there were several moments of regret โ€“ goalscoring chances not converted, points not registered, defensive plays that didnโ€™t shut Clare down. After heroically fighting back to force extra-time, to then fall short by a point will be hugely painful for Cork.

3. Tony Kelly moments of magic

It has been a frustrating 2024 for Tony Kelly in terms of gametime afforded, with injury stalling his involvement early in the season. There was a sense he was still trying to locate his best play again as the season progressed, but after being a peripheral figure in the first half against Kilkenny, he exploded to life in a timely fashion in the second half.

And then the Ballyea maestro carried his form into this game. His goal scored into the Davin End was a work of art, weaving his way through the Cork defence and finishing in style. He spun around to score a point that looked like the match-winner in normal time, then popped up with two crucial points in the opening period of extra-time to inject energy into Clareโ€™s challenge.

And again in the second half of extra-time, he supplied a fantastic score in the 87th minute to edge Clare ahead at a critical juncture.

When Clare needed it, their talisman inspired them with huge game-defining moments.

4. Referee calls

Cork manager Pat Ryan was dignified afterwards and chose not to be critical of the match officials but privately, Cork may feel they have cause for grievance with some of referee Johnny Murphyโ€™s decisions at pivotal moments.

A pull on Robbie Oโ€™Flynnโ€™s jersey as he took that last-gasp shot that went wide โ€” should play have been brought back for a placed ball? An earlier swipe across Darragh Fitzgibbon as he sought to claim possession?

Then there was the earlier decision after a foul on Oโ€™Flynn to award a free and not a penalty, when it seemed a clear goalscoring opportunity, and a โ€™65 incorrectly not awarded after Seamus Harnedyโ€™s goalbound shot was deflected wide.

Corkโ€™s performance was littered with enough mistakes of their own making: their attack didnโ€™t fire to the same extent as had previously, they were largely quietened on long puckouts, and the concession of three goals from play proved costly.

But those refereeing calls will sting.

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    Dec 21st 2017, 7:23 AM

    A rematch , MMA rules. Iโ€™d pay to see that, most definitely.

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    Mute Jamie Smith
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    Dec 21st 2017, 7:27 AM

    @Hardly Normal: nah Iโ€™d stream it for free

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    Dec 21st 2017, 7:32 AM

    @Jamie Smith: rebel

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    Dec 21st 2017, 7:34 AM

    @Hardly Normal: fools and their money

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    Dec 21st 2017, 7:37 AM

    @Jamie Smith: donโ€™t come crying when your screen buffers just as the knockout punch is landed. Stuff of nightmares!

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    Mute Paul O Mahony
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    Dec 21st 2017, 8:34 AM

    @Hardly Normal: I would prefer if it was a choke out, ground and pound stoppage or a kick to the head.

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    Mute Henry Fingleton
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    Dec 21st 2017, 10:44 AM

    @Jamie Smith: fools and their Money? Same logic as someone on the dole laughing at someone for going to work. Donโ€™t worry Jamie weโ€™ll pay up to keep these organisations going so you can enjoy it stuttering from a grainy little stream.

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    Mute Brian
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    Dec 21st 2017, 7:35 AM

    Lord knows the UFC needs something like that to keep it relevant. The interest and numbers have been staggeringly low recently and light years behind boxing for example. They are probably paying Floyd just to give them some attention in the media and without any deal ever happening.

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    Mute Henry Fingleton
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    Dec 21st 2017, 10:45 AM

    @Brian: interest and numbers light years behind boxing!? Are you drunk

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    Mute Patrick Kinsella
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    Dec 21st 2017, 8:01 AM

    The42 team do more research before you write a BS article 4 clicks http://mmajunkie.com/2017/12/floyd-mayweather-shuts-down-dana-white-ufc-deal-im-not-doing-it (published last night)

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    Mute Saul Alvarez
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    Dec 21st 2017, 2:50 PM

    Total BS Floyd will never fight MMA. Unless itโ€™s boxing rules. This is all hype, Floyd trying to keep his name in the news.

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