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Clare produce remarkable comeback to draw with Cork

Updated / Monday, 21 Apr 2025 08:46

Clare produced a remarkable 12-point second half turnaround to snatch a dramatic opening draw with Cork in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg, Ennis.

Having broken their Clare hoodoo with a rousing 15-point pummeling on their way to a first Allianz Hurling League crown in 27 years six weeks earlier, it initially seemed as if the momentum-fuelled Rebels would again roll over their hosts.

Backed by the conditions, a brace of Brian Hayes goals powered Pat Ryan’s side to a merited twelve point interval cushion, with Clare’s woes only mounting as after not being able to start full-back Conor Cleary through injury, they lost another defender Diarmuid Ryan in the opening quarter.

However, there would be a major kick in the All-Ireland champions as two goals in the first six minutes of the new half through Aidan McCarthy and David Reidy slashed the arrears to just five.

A flagging Cork also lost Shane Barrett to a straight red card entering the final quarter as a buoyant Banner intensified their backlash.

Still trailing by eight by the 65th minute, the relentless hosts would dominate the remainder, firing 1-06 without reply including a Peter Duggan goal to actually hit the front for the very first time thanks to a David Reidy free at the death.

There would be time for one final play though, with Ciaran Joyce winning a 78th minute free for substitute Declan Dalton to relievedly convert just to split the opening spoils.

Such a rollercoaster ride could not have been foreseen in a one-sided first half that saw the Rebels bombard Clare’s full-back line at every available opportunity.

Brian Hayes cut in from the right corner to bat to the net in the 16th minute for the first goal, only to double his bounty nine minutes later when teed up by Patrick Horgan and Alan Connolly to fire to the net at 2-08 to 0-05.

The damage could have been so much more were it not for home goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan who stopped efforts from Alan Connolly and Darragh Fitzgibbon while Shane Barrett also flashed a shot across the face of goal.

Up the other end, Peter Duggan fielded a John Conlon delivery on the half hour mark, only to see his shot superbly repelled by Patrick Collins.

A goal at that stage looked vital for a sluggish Banner who couldn’t have grumbled to trail the visitors by 2-15 to 0-09 by the break.

However it would be a complete role reversal for the new half, starting with Mark Rodgers pass to Aidan McCarthy to bat to the net in the opening minute. That shot-in-the-arm would be accentuated by a second major five minutes later, this time Tony Kelly’s delivery was flicked into the path of David Reidy by Peter Duggan to find the net and lower the arrears to five at 2-15 to 2-10.

Cork did settle themselves with the next three points through Patrick Horgan (2) and Alan Connolly to avert the immediate danger but once Shane Barrett was dismissed for an off-the-ball challenge on David Reidy in front of the dug-outs, the momentum inevitably shifted again towards the wind-assisted hosts.

Substitute Ian Galvin made an impact with a brace of points while Duggan’s superb catch and finish for a 68th minute goal catapulted Clare to new heights as Tony Kelly and David Reidy both raided for braces to almost incredulously inch Brian Lohan’s side in front.

However, one of the greatest ever championship comebacks was sated somewhat when Dalton arrowed over a last gasp equalising free to cling to what yet could be a valuable point.

Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Conor Leen, Darragh Lohan, Adam Hogan; Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, David McInerney; Cathal Malone (0-01), Ryan Taylor; Tony Kelly (0-05, 2f), David Reidy (1-02, 2f), David Fitzgerald (0-01); Mark Rodgers (0-02, 2f), Peter Duggan (1-01), Aidan McCarthy (1-07, 6f)

Subs: Cian Galvin for Ryan (15, inj), Ian Galvin (0-02) for McCarthy (57), Aron Shanagher for Rodgers (67)

Cork: Patrick Collins; Niall O’Leary, Eoin Downey, Sean O’Donoghue; Ciaran Joyce, Robert Downey, Mark Coleman; Tim O’Mahony (0-02), Ethan Twomey; Shane Barrett (0-02), Darragh Fitzgibbon (0-03), Seamus Harnedy (0-01); Alan Connolly (0-03), Brian Hayes (2-02), Patrick Horgan (0-09, 6f, 1’65)

Subs: Ger Millerick for R. Downey (44, inj), Declan Dalton (0-01, 1f) for Harnedy (48), Brian Roche (0-01) for Twomey (54), Shane Kingston for Horgan (60), Diarmuid Healy for Connolly (64)

Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway)

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