Advertisement
Pat Donnellan gets his hands on Liam MacCarthy ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

All-Ireland final report: O'Donnell's dream day fires Clare to victory

Clare are the All-Ireland hurling champions for the first time since 1997 after a classic final in Croke Park.

Clare 5-16 Cork 3-16

IMPOSSIBLY, IT WAS a final that did justice to the vintage Championship that preceded it.

After 72 classic minutes that can stand proudly alongside the best in memory, living or otherwise, Clare are the 2013 All-Ireland Champions.

In a final with more twists and turns than a game of snakes and ladders, it was fitting that the man who stole the show wasn’t even on the team-sheet this morning.

Shane O’Donnell was a late inclusion at full-forward for Clare. By the 19th minute, the 19-year-old from Eire Óg had scored a hat-trick in front of 82,276 in Croke Park; by the final whistle, he had 3-3 and an All-Ireland medal.

O’Donnell’s third put Clare 3-6 to 1-6 up in a battle which very quickly lived up to the thrilling memory of the drawn game three weeks ago.

There was just five minutes on the clock when captain Pat Donnellan, lining out in midfield, burst down the centre of the field and shipped off to O’Donnell who finished past Nash. Eight minutes later, Conor O’Sullivan’s slip was punished by Conor McGrath who laid the chance on a plate for his ravenous full-forward.

image

O’Donnell celebrates his second goal with Podge Collins (INPHO / Donall Farmer)

This was always a game that Cork keeper Anthony Nash was going to play a part in and, in remarkable fashion, he drew the Rebels back into the game on 16 minutes. Twelve Clare defenders, including keeper Pa Kelly, stood between Nash’s 21-yard free and the goal but with power and precision, he found a way.

O’Donnell’s hat-trick goal pushed the gap back out. Clare were eight up before Cork closed the half with four unanswered points to leave it 3-9 to 1-11 at the break, a lot closer than Clare’s dominance deserved.

image

Clare defenders unable to stop Nash (INPHO/James Crombie)

The Rebels’ resurgence continued after the break and they managed five points to just one for Clare in the third quarter, a Pa Horgan free levelling the match at 3-10 to 1-16.

That was as close as Jimmy Barry-Murphy came to a 31st All-Ireland title for the Rebels. Clare scored 2-6 to Cork’s 2-0 in a blistering finale that served as a perfect crescendo to the summer.

Winter might be bleak but on a day like today, that hardly seems to matter.

Points from O’Donnell, John Conlon and Colin Ryan steadied the ship for Clare but when Seamus Harnedy placed the ball in the corner just out of Kelly’s reach with a deft groundstroke, Cork were poised for one last chance.

image

O’Donnell hoisted up in front of Hill 16 by his team-mates (INPHO/Donall Farmer)

But a stunning solo effort from Conor McGrath, topped by points from Kelly and O’Donnell gave Clare a firm grasp on the title with five minutes to play.

Late goals from Stephen Moylan and Clare sub Darach Honan made sure the drama kept up till James McGrath’s final whistle. It sounded the end of one of the great hurling summers, but Clare won’t mind.

Scorers for Clare: Shane O’Donnell 3-3, Colin Ryan 0-7 (0-6f, 0-1 ’65), Conor McGrath 1-1, Darach Honan 1-0, Tony Kelly 0-3, John Conlon 0-2.

Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 0-9 (0-7f), Seamus Harnedy 1-2, Stephen Moylan 1-1, Anthony Nash 1-0 (1-0f), Conor Lehane 0-2, Patrick Cronin, Lorcan McLoughlin 0-1 each.

Cork: Anthony Nash; Stephen McDonnell, Shane O’Neill, Conor O’Sullivan; Christopher Joyce, Brian Murphy, William Egan; Lorcan McLoughlin, Daniel Kearney; Seamus Harnedy, Cian McCarthy, Conor Lehane; Luke O’Farrell, Patrick Cronin, Patrick Horgan.

Substitutes: Stephen White for Egan (22), Stephen Moylan for O’Farrell (half-time), Tom Kenny for Kearney (38), Cathal Naughton for McCarthy (54), Killian Murphy for McDonnell (70).

Clare: Patrick Kelly; Domhnall O’Donovan, Cian Dillon, David McInerney; Conor Ryan, Brendan Bugler, Patrick O’Connor; Pat Donnellan (c), Colm Galvin; John Conlon, Tony Kelly, Colin Ryan; Podge Collins, Shane O’Donnell, Conor McGrath.

Substitutes: Cathal McInerney for Galvin (52), Nicky O’Connell for Collins (60),Darach Honan for O’Donnell (67), Seadna Morey for Kelly (71).

Referee: James McGrath (Westmeath)

Snapshot: Anthony Nash beats 12 (!) Clare defenders for Cork’s opening goal

Close
58 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank Brady
    Favourite Frank Brady
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:06 PM

    No shame in this defeat. We’ll done Clare.

    244
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute quango-roo
    Favourite quango-roo
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:47 PM

    No shame at all…as a clareman I have been to plenty of cork wins over clare … i have always enjoyed the banter great fans cork has..my only worry was this game would be one sided… or a poor match an anticlimax like the football final… hurling is the winner here…there is no game like it.

    163
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lad
    Favourite Lad
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:10 PM

    Well to Clare! Yere worthy champions and ye’ll defend it well.
    But I’m gutted, I’m gutted.
    It’s still a great feeling to be part of the best ever season and a classic finale.
    I hope there’s 100,00 in cork and Clare tommorow to welcome home our hero’s. Can’t deny Davy now, and fair play. JBM is still our god and I hope he stays.
    Well done to everyone involved.. Ignore the trolls.. Ignore the haters.. LIVE FOR HURLING

    189
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tim Higgins
    Favourite Tim Higgins
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:04 PM

    Well done Clare! No fault Cork.

    187
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Finbarr O'Mahony
    Favourite Finbarr O'Mahony
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:44 PM

    JBM=gent

    150
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Slagrider
    Favourite Slagrider
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 8:07 PM

    From a Clare bai,JBM legend

    92
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colette Mullins
    Favourite Colette Mullins
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:18 PM

    As a true Cork person, I can say the best team won, a great match. It is always great to see two teams that play the game and not get involved in fighting and roughness that has no place in the GAA.
    Well done to both teams

    141
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tim Higgins
    Favourite Tim Higgins
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:23 PM

    Here here!

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Zoe Daly
    Favourite Zoe Daly
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:30 PM

    agree Colette,
    even watching the match on tv, I could feel the atmosphere. The fans of both counties, were amazing.
    The GAA has been one of the great Irish success stories, & the game of Hurling is a true national treasure.
    It has been a great year for the game.

    72
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Veronica
    Favourite Veronica
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 9:47 PM

    Well said colette… Am gutted we lost but clare were the better team but it was an exciting clean game from both sides..

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John O Brien
    Favourite John O Brien
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:09 PM

    Great to see another brilliant final to cap a wonderful year for hurling. Clare are worthy champions and Cork did their jersey proud. JBM’s post match interview and the way he always conducts himself is a credit to Cork and to the GAA. 3 all Irelands in 20 years for Clare and there could be many more.

    130
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Meaney
    Favourite Sean Meaney
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:26 PM

    Liam MacCarthy must have been looking down and smiling with pride as the game reached a new level of excitement and honour.

    128
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mari Madigan
    Favourite Mari Madigan
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:10 PM

    Oh sweet jesus clare were magic….5 goals..amazing

    98
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:19 PM

    Huge congrats to Clare! A great performance and deserving champions! Couldn’t be prouder of our fellas, 8 points down and still came back to level! A very proud cork man today! Well done Clare, well be back for our 31st next year! Rebels abu!

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:20 PM

    To think soccer players get paid 6 figures a week??? Hurling is the best game in the world!

    107
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew S
    Favourite Andrew S
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:30 PM

    What a great championship we had. Congratulations to Clare, Cork will be back again. Its been a great day for Irish sport.

    70
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dmc
    Favourite Dmc
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:12 PM

    In the words of Effin Eddie, it will be a heavy night back in Clare! Up da Banner!!

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Francis
    Favourite Paul Francis
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:20 PM

    Gutted as a cork fan. Congrats to Clare they were just that bit better than us this year. Hurling needed a new star and Clare look like they have him. All told poor year for us. We lost 2 finals and got relegated. But thankfully we have improved so much since losing to Limerick.

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Costigan
    Favourite Brian Costigan
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:14 PM

    Two cracking matches. Well done to Clare.

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Zoe Daly
    Favourite Zoe Daly
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:25 PM

    brilliant game, & what a brilliant year for hurling.
    Well done to Davy Fitz and the lads.

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank Buffalo
    Favourite Frank Buffalo
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:11 PM

    Great great game. Well done Clare.
    GAA where was the advertising in the build up to the greatest sport on earth?

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony
    Favourite Anthony
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:48 PM

    We’ll done Clare. The rebels will be back. Two great young teams. What an advertisement for hurling. Anyone watching this game was surely enthralled.

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Steve501
    Favourite Steve501
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:50 PM

    Wow what a game. Hearty congrats to Clare but also hard luck to Cork. Both teams gave it all. As a mayo man I have been down in the dips all week but this young Clare team has given me hope and every other county I am sure. Well done lads – some party in ennis tomorrow night.

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mjhint
    Favourite Mjhint
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:51 PM

    Well done to Clare. This is a good result for hurling & I think there Clare lads will be around for a while. I’m really happy for the Clare manager as he gets a lit of stick but he is obviously a great coach regardless of his decenters. Well done to jbm. We could have asked no more of him & hopefully we will be there again next year. Well done again the banner.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Bolger
    Favourite Alan Bolger
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:21 PM

    Brilliant game, hard luck to Cork but a huge well done to the Banner Men. Hope the Dublin hurlers are there next year.

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O'Hanlon
    Favourite Dave O'Hanlon
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 8:19 PM

    Epic stuff, no disrespect to Cork, who’ll challenge again next year, but its good to see the Liam McCarthy go outside the big 3.

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William O'Shea
    Favourite William O'Shea
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 8:15 PM

    Phew, what an advertisement for Hurling. Well done Clare and though disappointment for the Cork folk it takes two committed teams to deliver a classic. Brilliant!

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Duignan
    Favourite Sean Duignan
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 8:23 PM

    A fantastic game played by giants of men. What commitment and attitude, no whinging or play-acting, just passion and incredible team spirit. Is there a sport to equal it anywhere? Privilege to have witnessed such a fantastic game.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Smith
    Favourite John Smith
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:41 PM

    No complaints Clare were better, Cork didn’t learn from the first game. Well beaten on the puck outs. Well done Clare!

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard Cuddihy
    Favourite Richard Cuddihy
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 8:25 PM

    Well done Clare, better team won.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Fitzmaurice
    Favourite David Fitzmaurice
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 8:27 PM

    Jim you’ve just proven that their is always someone willing to piss on someone’s parade!!! You sound like great craic. Great game, great drawn game and a season to remember for hurling. No dirty strokes from Tommy Walsh or Lar Corbett prancing around like a prize foal. Hurling is the winner as always !!!!

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Quinn
    Favourite James Quinn
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 8:34 PM

    Stop talking shite u clown!! Tommy Walsh is one of the greatest players of his generation. Always gives up his time to hand out medals, do coaching sessions etc at no cost. Kop urself on.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mr x
    Favourite mr x
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 9:42 PM

    Being a nice fella and being prone to the odd dirty stroke are not mutually exclusive. That said tommy is a great Hurler.

    14
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Quinn
    Favourite James Quinn
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 9:50 PM

    If he is that dirty, name all the times he pulled dirty strokes in the last 2 years??? And don’t give me the joke of a red he got in thurles against tipp this yr in the league game for 2 of the worst decisions ul see on a hurling field. Was a joy to watch him last year with Corbett doing his best to get him sent off but Tommy just done his job, kept taking the hits and walked away.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Steve
    Favourite Steve
    Report
    Sep 29th 2013, 2:07 AM

    Shane O’Neill pulled more dirty strokes this year alone than Tommy Walsh has in his own career. O’Neill got away with his filth all year but by god was he hit by a serious dose of karma today by been taken to the cleaners by his man who scored 3-3!! Delighted for him that it ended that way for him

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Smith
    Favourite John Smith
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:41 PM

    No complaints Clare were better, Cork didn’t learn from the first game. Well beaten on the puck outs. Well done Clare!!

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Melanie McCrum
    Favourite Melanie McCrum
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 8:37 PM

    The right team win, well done Clare.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Veronica
    Favourite Veronica
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 9:54 PM

    Gutted for cork naturally as i’m born and reared cork girl but well done to clare on a fantastic game of hurling…. Was a fierce exciting game to watch and they were the better team at the end of the day…. Nice to see new teams competing in a final as its usually kilkenny up against someone so ws a very welcome change! Well done again clare, enjoy the celebrations

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute cathal
    Favourite cathal
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 8:10 PM

    Great win for clare pity it’s going to be all about davy fitz and not the players

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aidan Lennon
    Favourite Aidan Lennon
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:24 PM

    2 of the Clare goals were fouls on the ball. You can’t throw it up and catch it. Cork hard done by poor refereeing. Great game nonetheless

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colin Rodgers
    Favourite Colin Rodgers
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:30 PM

    Had done by the ref? Corks first goal should never have been a free to begin with.

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mr x
    Favourite mr x
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:32 PM

    What match were you watching? By the sounds of things you never lifted a Hurley in your life.

    54
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:40 PM

    Lets not get into that lads, there was dodgy calls both way, like for example the 21 yard free which the ref wouldn’t allow Nash take on the 21 line for some bizarre reason!? The better team won though so fair play to them!

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AlanH -AFC
    Favourite AlanH -AFC
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 7:42 PM

    You obviously didn’t watch the same game as the rest of us ! Well done Clare & Cork brilliant game

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cathal Crowe
    Favourite Cathal Crowe
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 8:01 PM

    Cork hard done by by the ref? Cork have benefitted more by poor refereeing decisions this year than they have suffered. A number of questionable decisions both ways today but better team on both days won. Congrulations to Clare and roll on 2014.

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Quinlan
    Favourite Niall Quinlan
    Report
    Sep 29th 2013, 12:21 AM

    Agree with Cathal, I thought the ref favoured Cork today, some of his decisions were baffling. But hearty congrats to both teams for serving up yet another thriller and especially to Clare who left it behind them the last day and almost blew it but recovered spectacularly today and never once panicked.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Effa Aoife
    Favourite Effa Aoife
    Report
    Sep 29th 2013, 4:33 AM

    as a clare supporter i can say cork had nothing to be ashamed of today its rare to see two teams so evenly matched it made a trilliing game

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim Flavin
    Favourite Jim Flavin
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 8:03 PM

    good Final after a good year – . Ir was close to a point and exciting – but to say it was brilliant – and to say that it could stand against ”
    ” that can stand proudly alongside the best in memory, living or otherwise,” is rubbish .
    There was too many mistakes – too much loose play – but then again the game has changed over the years – - even the ball is now a little rubberised ball and even the Hurley’s are different .
    The KK present team when in their Prme or the Tipp team of 09/10 would easy handle these teams . As for going back further – the TIPP tam of the 60s would have torn them apart – but as I say – the game has changed – and the rules – so much so that refs blow up now all too easy .
    Nashes way of taking close frees is good – same to an extent as Rings – who had to hit a real slitohar – not a rubberised one that one could nearly play handball with – but the tams can only deal with what they are given – and Congrats to Clare – but cant see that Cork team in CP again soon in a Final once KK and Tipp recover .

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Kelleher
    Favourite Alan Kelleher
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 8:23 PM

    @jim. How exactly have tipp and the cats more going for them than cork? The rest of your ramble is nonsense. How can you compare tipp teams of the 60′s to the two teams playing today

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 8:33 PM

    There’s always one! I wouldn’t even justify it Alan!

    30
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jimmy Fitzpatrick
    Favourite Jimmy Fitzpatrick
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 9:17 PM

    Well done Clare and go raibh mile Maith agat to every lad
    and. Lassie who wielded a caman in 2013 to help
    make it such a fantastic. Year .The future of our national
    game is in safe hands. Buiochas le. Dia.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mr x
    Favourite mr x
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 9:44 PM

    Horseshit, complete and utter, all of it.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Steve
    Favourite Steve
    Report
    Sep 29th 2013, 2:09 AM

    I’d have to agree with him. Cork were blessed to be in the final. If they had won they would have been one of the most undeserving champions of all time. I can’t see them being in another All Ireland final for a good few years

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim Flavin
    Favourite Jim Flavin
    Report
    Sep 29th 2013, 12:02 PM

    How can you compare tipp teams of the 60′s to the two teams playing today”
    It was the author who said u could
    ”stand proudly alongside the best in memory, living or otherwise, ” – did u read it . I say there is no comaprisoin – and yes it is hard to compare but to say that the teams – especially Cork yesterday are up to mark of other great teams is BS .

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jimmy Fitzpatrick
    Favourite Jimmy Fitzpatrick
    Report
    Sep 28th 2013, 9:27 PM

    P.S. I meant to say every lad and lassie in the land who wielded a caman
    not just Corlk or Clare but every county.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall O'Donoghue
    Favourite Niall O'Donoghue
    Report
    Sep 29th 2013, 2:42 AM

    Was an honour to watch that game, fair play to both teams.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew S
    Favourite Andrew S
    Report
    Sep 29th 2013, 8:20 AM

    ?

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.