By Declan Whooley
The hurlers of Clare and Waterford look set for a three-game saga following a dramatic encounter in Semple Stadium, but the Déise were let off the hook according to Clare defender Pat O’Connor.
With a Munster championship date looming on 5 June, both sides couldn’t be separated after extra-time in the Allianz hurling Division 1 final in Thurles.
Maurice Shanahan was the Waterford hero with a long-range free with the last puck of the game, though Clare themselves were reliant on a Conor McGrath free deep into injury time to force an extra 20 minutes.
The dramatic finale was in sharp contrast to a game which was lacklustre for large periods of the opening 70 minutes and saw a total of 35 wides.
The Banner looked set to dethrone the reigning champions and claim their fourth National league title before the Waterford substitute showed a steely resolve to ensure both teams will have to do battle again next Sunday [3.30pm].
The Tubber clubman reflected post-match on his side’s inability to hold onto their lead at the death.
“I didn’t see what happened,” he told RTÉ Sport when asked about the final free.
“I’m not for one moment saying it was a soft free, I thought it was bad game management by us.
“We were kind of to the fore in the second half of extra time and we just didn’t close it out and that was a disappointment.”
Both camps admitted in the lead-up to the game that squaring off so soon in the championship wasn’t perhaps the best preparation, but O’Connor doesn’t see it as a hindrance even with an extra game against their provincial rivals.
“It’s brilliant. You can’t emulate these games in training. It’s brilliant preparation for the championship.”
Waterford manager Derek McGrath hailed the commitment of both players as he felt the 19,498 spectators in attendance were served up a treat of a finish after a “cagey start”.
“It’s great to be part of a spectacle like that,” he said.
“The two teams just gave it their all. It’s a great opportunity for our team to be exposed to that type of game and I’m delighted with the overall effort.
“We’re heading for a three-game saga now which is probably not ideal but we’ll take it.
“I think everyone got their money’s worth today.”
