CLARE CAPTAIN TONY Kelly has been named man of the match in the Banner’s epic All-Ireland hurling final win over Cork.
The Ballyea wizard scored one of the great All-Ireland final goals with a sublime piece of stickwork and finish in the 52nd minute.
Kelly finished with a magical 1-4, including the point which looked set to be Clare’s winner at the end of normal time, followed by three more points at crucial moments in extra time.
Captain Tony Kelly with some superb individual play to score Clare's third goal
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 21, 2024
They take a grip on the game
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The award was announced on The Sunday Game on RTÉ, and presented to Kelly by GAA President Jarlath Burns at the team banquet at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin.
Kelly’s team-mate Conor Leen, and Cork’s Robert Downey — who scored a sensational goal of his own in the first half — were also nominated for man of the match.
That goal might be the best I’ve ever seen. Gets better every time you watch it.
@Daire O’Reilly: absolutely brilliant Daire. Didn’t seem to be anything on really…..some skill. Was a pleasure to be there to witness it.
Have Cork lads stopped crying about the “free” :-D
@John Paul Mullins: which one? Plenty to choose from
Conor Leen was phenomenal at corner back. Kelly’s trickery probably was enough to snatch it but Leen was immense and put in a dominant performance.
@Joe O’Regan: I thought McInerney was up there with them too
@Joe O’Regan: brutal in 1st half, I’d have subbed him but redeemed himself in 2nd half.
@Rob Doyle: yeah McInerney was very good especially when Clare need men to step up. He and O’Donnell were very good when Clare came back into it.
The fact Clare had 4 or 5 all Ireland winners in their starting 15 was an advantage.
Ray Ridge predicted that
I hadn’t seen it because I had to milk but was listening on the radio and couldn’t wait to see it, but I have to say I’m a bit underwhelmed.
@James Murphy: Beats 3 defenders, soloing over one of their heads, whilst holding off another. An outrageous bit of skill. It doesn’t have to blasted into the net to be a great goal.
@cian nolan: it doesn’t but I suppose I prefer the blast
@James Murphy: you must be hard to please
@Square: haha maybe I can’t figure out why I’m underwhelmed because I know it’s a great goal
@James Murphy: even as a cork man it was amazing the cork goal was something nice as well
Thought Shane O Donnell should’ve got it. Without him in the first half, Cork looked to be steam rolling thru Clare. He turned the tide on his own! Kelly was anonymous in 1st half but God he exploded into it after. Half back line got a grip and didn’t let go.
Best match I’ve seen for a long, long time. Skill levels were ridiculous. Love it. ( Draw was a fairer result,imo)