It was certainly a day to remember for the Banner County yesterday in Croke Park.
In a repeat of the 2013 final, Clare are All-Ireland champions for the first time in 11 years after beating Cork in an extraordinary extra-time hurling final by 3-29 to 1-34.
Yesterday's Final turned out to be an exciting, nail-biting end to the Hurling calendar that will be remembered for years to come. Clare's senior players Tony Kelly, Mark Rogers, and Aidan McCarthy all popped up at the right moments for Clare, scoring goals for the Banner. Kelly became the fifth Clare captain to lift the Liam McCarthy and scored crucial points during the contest to keep the Clare dream alive to secure the title.
Cork gave everything they had throughout the game as Patrick Horgan became the all-time top scorer in the All-Ireland championship registering nine points in the game. Robert Downey kept the Rebels in the game with one of the best goals ever seen on a Croke Park pitch.
The teams were level at 35 minutes and 70 minutes, nothing could separate them in regulation, so extra time was called upon. It was such an evenly matched contest that even extra time nearly couldn't separate them, however, while having his jersey pulled by Conor Leen, Robbie O’Flynn had a late chance to force a replay but his shot sailed wide from about 21 yards out when a point would have levelled the game right at the end
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