There was drama at the death as Ballyea's late surge snatched a fourth Clare Senior Hurling title in seven years in Cusack Park, Ennis on Sunday afternoon.
That extra sprinkling of experience was pivotal coming down the final straight after Éire Óg, in their first final in 22 years, had previously produced a seven point turnaround to soar three clear by the 57th minute.
Having come from behind in their three previous decider wins, Ballyea simply refused to panic and duly hit the last four points through substitutes Martin O’Leary and Cathal O’Connor, along with placed balls from chief marksmen Tony Kelly and Niall Deasy to prevail by the minimum.
All that came after an early goal in each half through Aaron Griffin and Niall Deasy had put the defending champions into the driving seat, but each time they would be reeled in by a dogged Ennis side.
Level at 1-6 to 0-9 by the break, Deasy’s clinical 32nd minute strike was immediately wiped out in the next passage of play when Darren O’Brien’s delivery from halfway was spilled into the path of David Reidy to scramble over the line at 2-6 to 1-9.
A controversial Gavin Cooney point finally inched Éire Óg in front for the first time in the 36th minute and with Danny Russell unerring from frees, the tide appeared to have decisively turned in the challengers’ favour when carving out a three point cushion entering the final ten minutes at 1-16 to 2-10.
Three Ballyea wides appeared to validate that theory but the holders never dropped their heads at any stage and would incrementally get back on track.
The turning point arrived in the 61st minute when Shane O’Donnell was hooked by Tony Kelly just as he was about to put Éire Óg two clear, only for Paul Flanagan to pick up the break and feed Cathal O’Connor for the equalising score from halfway.
Two minutes later, Ballyea edged in front for the first time in 30 minutes when Niall Deasy earned and converted a 20 metre free.
Éire Óg did carve out one final opportunity to force extra-time, but David Reidy’s free from the left wing would drift agonisingly wide of the left post and Ballyhea were able to historically claim back-to-back titles.
Ballyea: Barry Coote; Brandon O'Connell, Paul Flanagan, Peter Casey; Gearoid O’Connell, Jack Browne, James Murphy; Stan Lineen, Morgan Garry; Niall Deasy (1-06, 0-06f), Pearse Lillis, Gary Brennan; Mossy Gavin, Tony Kelly (0-04, 0-01’65), Aaron Griffin (1-01)
Subs: Cillian Brennan for Garry (23, inj), Cathal O’Connor (0-02) for Gavin (34), Martin O’Leary (0-01) for Lillis (54)
Éire Óg: Philly Walsh; Jarlath Collins, Aaron Fitzgerald, Niall McMahon; Ciaran Russell, Liam Corry, Oran Cahill (0-01); David Reidy (1-00), Cian O’Dea; David McNamara, Gavin Cooney (0-01), Mikey Moloney (0-01); Danny Russell (0-11, 0-09f, 0-01’65), Shane O’Donnell, Darren O’Brien (0-02)
Subs: Aidan McGrath for C. Russell (45-47, BS)
Referee: Jarlath Donnellan (Wolfe Tones)
