Home redemption ensured that Clare are the first team into this year's Munster hurling final after holding off Cork by the minimum in front of a capacity 18,659 in Cusack Park Ennis on Sunday afternoon.
Having faltered in disappointing fashion in their opening home match four weeks earlier against Tipperary, Clare’s backlash had to be perfect as they overcame holders Limerick, Waterford and now Cork to progress to their second successive provincial decider.
In truth, it was no more than their deserved, even if they made much harder work of it than entirely necessary, having led by as much as eight points at the start of the second period.
Rousing goals either side of half-time through Tony Kelly, one from play and then a clinical penalty only two minutes into the new half powered the Banner 2-13 to 1-8 clear.
However, some uncharacteristic misses especially from frees kept Cork’s hopes alive, enough to claw their way back into contention after a Declan Dalton rebound goal from a penalty was bolstered by a 64th minute trademark Patrick Horgan goal to level the tie at 2-17 to 3-14.
Crucially the hosts never allowed Cork to get their noses in front however, with big scores from wing-backs David McInerney (2) and finally a Diarmuid Ryan winner from his own half sufficient to edge their side relievedly over the line.
In what was a compelling Munster Championship tie throughout, Cork’s goal intent was clear from the outset with Horgan teeing up Conor Cahalane for an emphatic opening major in only the eighth minute to separate the sides at 1-4 to 0-4.
Patrick Horgan had a goal ruled out earlier but he's set up Conor Cahalane who emphatically found the net for Cork and gave them a 1-04 to 0-04 lead over Clare
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 21, 2023
📱 Updates - https://t.co/Xy5c5gtVsQ
📺 Watch - https://t.co/NcrNtKeU0O#RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/uK4UJeCHHL
Horgan had an earlier attempt chalked off for a throw while Conor Lehane also had a subsequent effort repelled by goalkeeper Ebhear Quiligan as the Rebels moved 1-6 to 0-5 clear by the end of the opening quarter.
Tony Kelly inevitably inspired a home recovery as he along with Aidan McCarthy (2), Mark Rodgers and Shane O’Donnell unleashed a five point unanswered rally in just six minutes to dramatically snatch back the whip hand at 0-10 to 1-6.
A timely home goal lifted the home support even more as Rory Hayes’ long delivery was batted by Peter Duggan into the path of Kelly to volley to the net on their way to a 1-13 to 1-8 interval lead.
Tony Kelly stayed alert to fire in a goal for Clare that has given them the lead over Cork with half-time looming
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 21, 2023
📱 Updates - https://t.co/Xy5c5gtVsQ
📺 Watch - https://t.co/NcrNtKeU0O#RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/BXZo4JZ6N7
Buoyed by that turnaround, Clare went for the jugular on the restart when Shane O’Donnell raced through only to be held by Ciaran Joyce for a 37th minute penalty that Kelly cooly distracted to the net corner of the net to stretch the gap to eight.
To their credit, Cork never dropped their heads and received a major shot in the arm only seven minutes later when substitute Shane Kingston was held for a penalty that was saved from Horgan, only to Declan Dalton to react quickest to pull the rebound to the net at 2-14 to 2-10.
With Clare’s attacking division faltering, it was their defence that came up trumps when needed most at both ends, with a Diarmuid Ryan brace keeping Clare in front until Horgan’s 64th minute levelling goal while fellow wing-back David McInerney responded with two eye-catching points from the left wing to get the hosts back on the frontfoot.
A sensational winning point from Diarmaid Ryan has edged Clare past Cork and into the Munster SHC final
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 21, 2023
📱 Updates - https://t.co/Xy5c5gtVsQ
📺 Watch - https://t.co/NcrNtKeU0O#RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/h97dJUdvOy
A rejuvenated Cork would regain full parity twice more but it was fitting that Diarmuid Ryan would arrow over the final point in the 73rd minute from 80 metres to ensure Clare’s path to the final and leaving Cork to scramble with Limerick and Tipperary for the other spot in next weekend’s final round.
Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Rory Hayes, Conor Cleary, Adam Hogan; Diarmuid Ryan (0-03), John Conlon, David McInerney (0-02); Ryan Taylor (0-02), Cathal Malone; David Fitzgerald (0-03), Tony Kelly (2-04, 1-00 Pen), Shane O’Donnell (0-02); Peter Duggan (0-01), Mark Rodgers (0-01), Aidan McCarthy (0-03, 0-02f)
Subs: Seadna Morey (0-01) for Cleary (34, inj), Ian Galvin for Rodgers (46), Aron Shanagher for McCarthy (53), Shane Meehan for Galvin (68)
Cork: Patrick Collins; Niall O’Leary, Sean O'Donoghue, Damien Cahalane (0-01); Tommy O’Connell, Ciaran Joyce, Robert Downey; Brian Roche (0-02), Luke Meade; Declan Dalton (1-01, 0-01f), Darragh Fitzgibbon (0-02), Conor Cahalane (1-00); Conor Lehane, Seamus Harnedy (0-02), Patrick Horgan (1-09, 0-06f)
Subs: Ger Millerick for O’Connell (37-41, BS), Shane Kingston (0-01) for Lehane (43), Shane Barrett for C. Cahalane (45), Mellerick for O’Connell (46), Tim O’Mahony for Meade (61), Brian Hayes) for Dalton (67),
Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)
