Munster final-bound Clare are determined to land the provincial silverware that they went so close to getting their hands on last year.
The Banner prevailed by the bare minimum against Cork in Cusack Park, wing-back Diarmuid Ryan proving to be the match-winner deep into injury time.
The result means that Brian Lohan's side advance to a provincial decider, regardless of what happens in the final round of games with the Banner having played all four of their games with a tally of six points.
Who they face remains to be seen, but after pushing All-Ireland champions Limerick all the way to extra-time in last year’s thrilling decider, Ryan says there is strong motivation to go one better.
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
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"We’re delighted. We just wanted to get back to a Munster final after last year’s disappointment," he said.
"We want to right the wrongs of last year, no better way to do it now."
The Cratloe man scooped the player of the match award with an industrious performance in defence as well as whipping over four points from play, including the match-defining score at the death.
"I nearly let the team down at the other side by not tracking my man for the penalty, so I owed it to the lads after that.
"Some days you shoot and they go over, made a lot of mistakes as well."
"We want to right the wrongs of last year"
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 21, 2023
After scoring the late winning point that booked Clare's place in the Munster SHC final, Diarmaid Ryan reflected on their battle with Cork
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Reflecting on the pattern of the game where Cork started brightly before the Banner took over, and at stages in the second period, looked set to pull away, he said: "Cork probably got the start on us in the first quarter.
"We knew when we got into the game, started finding lads, starting finding Tony and our main men and let them do the scoring.
"It all fell into place after that, but it was an unbelievable battle. Cork are gone nowhere yet. It will all come down to the last day."
