GAA news today and Clare v Cork reaction as Banner County celebrate All-Ireland final win
The Banner are in full celebration mode after winning their fifth All-Ireland hurling title.
Clare are the All-Ireland hurling champions after defeating Cork following extra-time in an epic final at Croke Park on Sunday.
The win was just the fifth in the history of the Banner, while defeat for Cork means their wait for a 31st title stretches into a 20th season.
Take a look below to see the best reaction to a legendary final.
READ MORE:RTE viewers left stunned as one player misses out on Sunday Game Team of the Year
Clare star Conor Leen talks about controversial late Cork jersey pull in All-Ireland final
Leen was asked about the incident by Marty Morrissey on RTE's Morning Ireland and said: "I most definitely did (pull the jersey) and I'd do it again anyway," he said. "You get away with it sometimes, sometimes you don't. I did yesterday and I'd do it every day if I could."
Shane Dowling column: My reasons for choosing Shane O'Donnell as my hurler of the year
When it comes to choosing my hurler of the year, I have a shortlist of one: Shane O’Donnell. He has been outstanding.
Here is an interesting stat: the last three hurlers of the year have played little or no league hurling, O’Donnell’s first appearance for Clare this year coming in the League final.
It just goes to show that freshness matters. You don’t always need to be training hard in November and December. Obviously some players do but O’Donnell clearly needed time off. And look how Clare have reaped the rewards of that decision as O’Donnell came into this season fresh, fit and rearing to go.
I have always felt with Shane that the events of the 2013 All-Ireland replayed final, when he scored 3-3 to help Clare win, left him with pressure on his shoulders from an early age.
Sometimes great expectations turns into grate expectations. It can be hard for a young player to deal with the burden of trying to follow up a massive day like that, especially when you are so young.
O'Donnell was only 19 in 2013. And I feel that as he has matured in years, he has relaxed into the work/life/hurling demands. He clearly has enjoyed his hurling this year.
He knows when to switch on and also the importance of switching off. That ability to relax has removed any pressure that he may once felt and allowed him to make the most of the considerable talent he has.
This season has been an exceptional one for the Clare forward, and the number of man of the match awards he has won this summer is a testament to not just his skills but also his mentality.
Clare v Cork referee defended after controversial ending to All-Ireland hurling final
Kilkenny great Paul Murphy has come to the defence of referee Johnny Murphy following the controversial ending to an epic All-Ireland hurling final.
Clare beat Cork by a point, 3-29 to 1-34, after extra-time but Robbie O'Flynn had a last gasp chance to equalise for the Rebels only for his shot to go wide.
Just before he shot, though, his jersey was pulled but no free was given.
According to Murphy, the winner of four All-Irelands with the Cats, it was perfectly understandable that Murphy didn't make the call.
"It was a pull of the jersey but I wouldn't be hard on Johnny Murphy. I think he had an outstanding game, to be honest,'' he told Ireland AM this morning.
"It happened so fast, I didn't see it in normal time, I always go back to that - it's what you see in normal time. We're all experts when we're looking at replays - 'there's a pull of a jersey'.
"It was frantic. When Robbie O'Flynn landed, he was gone. I don't think Johnny Murphy could have seen it from where he was standing. He was trying to position himself as best he could.''
RTE viewers left stunned as one player misses out on Sunday Game Team of the Year
RTE viewers were left stunned by Aaron Gillane's omission after he guided Limerick to another Munster title as well as playing a starring role throughout the Championship, scoring 2-32.
Some viewers took to social media to voice their discontent with one saying: "How in God's name is Aaron Gillane not in that team."
While another said: "No Aaron Gillane in the Team of the Year?"
No Kilkenny players made the team despite their Leinster Championship win.
Davy Fitzgerald column: One player was difference between teams in a game that reminded me so much of 2013 final
Tony Kelly was the difference in this All-Ireland final. He was absolutely incredible. His goal and his scores were immense. The over the shoulder point. Kelly was just majestic out there.
People have questioned his form all year but when it really counted, Tony came good on the day. John Conlon was fantastic too. Cork thought they were going to pull him all over the place and exploit him for pace.
The big thing John had to do was hold that centre. He played a very smart game and read the game so well.
Shane O’Donnell setup scores, took scores and looked very dangerous. When Clare went seven down, you could see the body language of the more experienced players.
They didn’t panic. They got back into it and that bit of experience. The lads really stood up to it. There is definitely more left in them older guys.
What an epic game of hurling it was, end to end stuff and Clare fully deserved their win. There were the best team on the day
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