EXTRA-TIME WAS required to separate the pair in last July’s meeting in Croke Park, when Cork and Clare renewed acquaintances to kickstart the 2025 championship, it proved just as tight and pulsating.
Both had to settle for a draw, and perhaps relief will be the main reaction in their camps. Declan Dalton fired over a last-gasp free to save 14-man Cork after Clare had come charging like a train towards the finish line.
Clare hit three second-half goals to help wipe out Cork’s 12-point interval advantage. The Liam MacCarthy Cup holders held the valuable momentum in the finale, scoring 1-6 without reply and edging ahead thanks to a David Reidy close-range free.
The home fans were in a delirious mood but Cork pegged them back at the finish when Ciaran Joyce was fouled and Dalton nailed the free.
Cork will be grateful to head home with a point on the board. Their first-half brilliance preceded a second-half slump. They were rocked by the two early goals that Clare registered after the break, Aidan McCarthy flicking home after a Mark Rodgers run and offload, David Reidy crashing in the second following a flick down by Peter Duggan.
Cork's Shane Barrett is shown a red card by referee Liam Gordon. Tom Maher / INPHO
Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO
It appeared Cork had weathered that storm, confidently knocking over a succession of points to stand nine clear and in command. But the red card flashed towards Shane Barrett for an off-the-ball incident in the 57th minute altered the complexion of the game once more.
Clare gained a grip and while Tim O’Mahony’s point in the 66th minute left Cork eight clear, 2-23 to 2-15, they were then hit by the concession of 1-6. The third Clare goal had a gamebreaking feel to it, Duggan again causing problems as a target man as he swept a low shot to the net.
Tony Kelly, Reidy, Ian Galvin, Kelly again, and finally Reidy, raised the white flags that nudged Clare ahead. They were on the cusp of a victory that had looked improbable and was bound to be celebrated wildly.
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Clare's Aron Shanagher celebrates his team being awarded a late free. Tom Maher / INPHO
Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO
Cork launched one last desperate attempt to salvage the game, a booming Patrick Collins puckout was fiercely contested, with Shane Kingston seizing a break, offloading to Joyce who was engulfed by a swarm of Clare defenders, and the free was subsequently awarded.
Honours even then thanks to Dalton’s shot.
The opening half was hugely impressive by Cork. Their movement and touch was sharp from the outset as they swiftly got to the pitch of the game. Clare remained close to them, trailing 0-5 to 0-3, but when Brian Hayes found the net in the 13th minute, it was a score that burst the dam.
Cork had threatened to unsettle the Clare full-back line, that started minus Conor Cleary, in the early stages, and Hayes profited from a precise Darragh Fitzgibbon delivery, cut in along the endline past Darragh Lohan and batted home his shot.
When he raised a green flag again twelve minutes later, it pushed Cork nine clear. There were several creators in the move, Ethan Twomey arrowing a ball down the wing, Patrick Horgan releasing Alan Connolly with a hand pass, and when he squared it to Hayes, the finish past Eibhear Quilligan was straightforward.
Cork's Brian Hayes shoots to score his side's second goal of the match. Tom Maher / INPHO
Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO
Cork’s position could have been more favourable as they hunted for goals to inflict further damage. Quilligan did well to beat away a shot from Connolly, while Shane Barrett sent an effort whistling past the butt of the upright. Cork scored 1-5 without reply between the 20th and 30th minutes, while Patrick Collins pulled off a superb save to deny Duggan at the far end.
The scoreboard at the interval proclaimed 2-15 to 0-9 in Cork’s favour, indicative of their dominance and Clare’s struggles. In the opening 33 minutes, Clare only notched a single point from play. They improved in that regard during the timeframe before the break, but Cork traded points to stay in front by twelve.
They seemed in control at that stage but Clare were able to rouse themselves once the action resumed. From there a thrilling ride ensued until the final whistle.
Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 0-9 (0-6f, 0-1 ’65), Brian Hayes 2-2, Alan Connolly 0-3, Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-3, Shane Barrett 0-2, Tim O’Mahony 0-2, Séamus Harnedy 0-1, Brian Roche 0-1, Declan Dalton 0-1 (0-1f).
Scorers for Clare: Aidan McCarthy 1-7 (0-6f), Tony Kelly 0-5 (0-2f), David Reidy 1-2 (0-2f), Peter Duggan 1-1, Ian Galvin 0-2, Mark Rodgers 0-2 (0-2f), David Fitzgerald 0-1, Cathal Malone 0-1.
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Cork and Clare play out dramatic draw in Munster hurling opener
Clare 3-21
Cork 2-24
EXTRA-TIME WAS required to separate the pair in last July’s meeting in Croke Park, when Cork and Clare renewed acquaintances to kickstart the 2025 championship, it proved just as tight and pulsating.
Both had to settle for a draw, and perhaps relief will be the main reaction in their camps. Declan Dalton fired over a last-gasp free to save 14-man Cork after Clare had come charging like a train towards the finish line.
Clare hit three second-half goals to help wipe out Cork’s 12-point interval advantage. The Liam MacCarthy Cup holders held the valuable momentum in the finale, scoring 1-6 without reply and edging ahead thanks to a David Reidy close-range free.
The home fans were in a delirious mood but Cork pegged them back at the finish when Ciaran Joyce was fouled and Dalton nailed the free.
Cork will be grateful to head home with a point on the board. Their first-half brilliance preceded a second-half slump. They were rocked by the two early goals that Clare registered after the break, Aidan McCarthy flicking home after a Mark Rodgers run and offload, David Reidy crashing in the second following a flick down by Peter Duggan.
It appeared Cork had weathered that storm, confidently knocking over a succession of points to stand nine clear and in command. But the red card flashed towards Shane Barrett for an off-the-ball incident in the 57th minute altered the complexion of the game once more.
Clare gained a grip and while Tim O’Mahony’s point in the 66th minute left Cork eight clear, 2-23 to 2-15, they were then hit by the concession of 1-6. The third Clare goal had a gamebreaking feel to it, Duggan again causing problems as a target man as he swept a low shot to the net.
Tony Kelly, Reidy, Ian Galvin, Kelly again, and finally Reidy, raised the white flags that nudged Clare ahead. They were on the cusp of a victory that had looked improbable and was bound to be celebrated wildly.
Cork launched one last desperate attempt to salvage the game, a booming Patrick Collins puckout was fiercely contested, with Shane Kingston seizing a break, offloading to Joyce who was engulfed by a swarm of Clare defenders, and the free was subsequently awarded.
Honours even then thanks to Dalton’s shot.
The opening half was hugely impressive by Cork. Their movement and touch was sharp from the outset as they swiftly got to the pitch of the game. Clare remained close to them, trailing 0-5 to 0-3, but when Brian Hayes found the net in the 13th minute, it was a score that burst the dam.
Cork had threatened to unsettle the Clare full-back line, that started minus Conor Cleary, in the early stages, and Hayes profited from a precise Darragh Fitzgibbon delivery, cut in along the endline past Darragh Lohan and batted home his shot.
When he raised a green flag again twelve minutes later, it pushed Cork nine clear. There were several creators in the move, Ethan Twomey arrowing a ball down the wing, Patrick Horgan releasing Alan Connolly with a hand pass, and when he squared it to Hayes, the finish past Eibhear Quilligan was straightforward.
Cork’s position could have been more favourable as they hunted for goals to inflict further damage. Quilligan did well to beat away a shot from Connolly, while Shane Barrett sent an effort whistling past the butt of the upright. Cork scored 1-5 without reply between the 20th and 30th minutes, while Patrick Collins pulled off a superb save to deny Duggan at the far end.
The scoreboard at the interval proclaimed 2-15 to 0-9 in Cork’s favour, indicative of their dominance and Clare’s struggles. In the opening 33 minutes, Clare only notched a single point from play. They improved in that regard during the timeframe before the break, but Cork traded points to stay in front by twelve.
They seemed in control at that stage but Clare were able to rouse themselves once the action resumed. From there a thrilling ride ensued until the final whistle.
Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 0-9 (0-6f, 0-1 ’65), Brian Hayes 2-2, Alan Connolly 0-3, Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-3, Shane Barrett 0-2, Tim O’Mahony 0-2, Séamus Harnedy 0-1, Brian Roche 0-1, Declan Dalton 0-1 (0-1f).
Scorers for Clare: Aidan McCarthy 1-7 (0-6f), Tony Kelly 0-5 (0-2f), David Reidy 1-2 (0-2f), Peter Duggan 1-1, Ian Galvin 0-2, Mark Rodgers 0-2 (0-2f), David Fitzgerald 0-1, Cathal Malone 0-1.
Cork
1. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)
2. Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), 3. Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), 4. Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra)
5. Ciaran Joyce (Castlemartyr), 6. Robert Downey (Glen Rovers – captain), 7. Mark Coleman (Blarney)
8. Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), 9. Ethan Twomey (St.Finbarr’s)
12. Shane Barrett (Blarney), 11. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville), 10. Séamus Harnedy (St Ita’s)
14. Alan Connolly (Blackrock), 15. Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s), 13. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers)
Subs
Clare
1. Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
2. Adam Hogan (Feakle), 17. Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones), 4. Conor Leen (Corofin)
5. Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe), 6. John Conlon (Clonlara), 7. David McInerney (Tulla)
13. Ryan Taylor (Clooney-Quin), 9. Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
10. Tony Kelly (Ballyea, captain), 15. David Reidy (Éire Óg Ennis), 8. David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona)
14. Aidan McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona), 12. Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin), 11. Mark Rodgers (Scariff),
Subs
Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway)
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All Square Clare Cork GAA Hurling