So after an amazing hurling summer, who would prevail in the final?
It was Cork against Clare in the battle to claim the Liam McCarthy Cup.
As always, we’d love to hear your comments. Send them to fintan@thescore.ie, tweet them @TheScoreGAA, find us on Facebook, or leave a comment below.
RESULT: Cork 3-16 Clare 0-25
Welcome to Croke Park as we commence the build-up for the 2013 All-Ireland senior hurling final between Cork and Clare.
The minor match between Galway and Waterford is entering the closing stages and you can follow the latest on that game here.
It’s looking like Waterford’s day with attacker Patrick Curran just after finding the net to put his side seven points clear in the minor match.
The crowds are starting to stream in for the senior showdown at 3.30pm and the fans have been congregating around Croke Park from early today.
The referee for today’s main game is Offaly’s Brian Gavin. The linesman and standby referee is Westmeath’s James McGrath while Johnny Ryan of Tipperary is the other linesman.
Then we have James Owens of Wexford as the sideline official with the four umpires, all Offaly men, being Michael Gavin, David Gavin, William Flynn and PJ Lawlor.
And Waterford have just been crowned All-Ireland senior minor hurling champions with a 1-21 to 0-16 win over Galway. Great scenes of celebration here amongst their players and supporters, they’ve endured plenty unhappy days at this venue before.
Here’s the teams that are named to start this afternoon:
Cork: Anthony Nash (Kanturk); Stephen Mc Donnell (Glen Rovers), Shane O’Neill (Bishopstown), Conor O’Sullivan (Sarsfields); Brian Murphy (Bride Rovers), Christopher Joyce (Na Piarsaigh), William Egan (Kilbrin); Lorcan McLoughlin (Kanturk), Daniel Kearney (Sarfields); Seamus Harnedy (St Ita’s), Pa Cronin (Bishopstown), Conor Lehane (Midleton); Luke O’Farrell (Midleton), Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers), Jamie Coughlan (Newtownshandrum).
Clare: Patrick Kelly (Inagh-Kilnamona); Domhnall O’Donovan (Clonlara), David McInerney (Tulla), Cian Dillon (Crusheen); Brendan Bugler (Whitegate), Patrick Donnellan (O’Callaghan Mills), Patrick O’Connor (Tubber); Colm Galvin (Clonlara), Conor Ryan (Cratloe); John Conlon (Clonlara), Tony Kelly (Ballyea), Colin Ryan (Newmarket-on-Fergus); Pádraic Collins (Cratloe), Darach Honan (Clonlara), Conor McGrath (Cratloe).
Rumours that John Conlon would miss out due to a shoulder injury seem unfounded at the moment. We’ll let you know if there’s any updates on that.
The ‘Hurling Stars of the 80′s’ are currently being introduced to the crowd in Croke Park. The team is made up of players who did not win an All-Ireland senior medal.
Unsurprisingly the Clare players on the side received the biggest cheer, particularly one Ger Loughnane.
Some well-known political faces outside Croke Park making their way in for today’s game.
It being All-Ireland hurling final day, there is of course plenty pageantry to the occasion. A giant Cork flag is now being brought out in front of the David End with a giant Clare flag at the opposite end in front of Hill 16.
Couple whispers of rumors floating around about the Clare team selection. Could U21 Peter Duggan be launched into the fray? It seems a possibility.
Clare have just come out onto the field. The Banner roar that greeted them was predictably loud.
Here’s the Clare subs for today’s game:
Donal Tuohy (Crusheen), Conor Cooney (O’Callaghan Mills), Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge), Liam Markham (Cratloe), Nicky O’Connell (Clonlara), Fergal Lynch (Clooney-Quin), Shane O’Donnell (Eire Og), Cathal McInerney (Cratloe), Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin), Jonathan Clancy (Clarecastle), Paul Flanagan (Ballyea).
Huge ovation in Croke Park at the moment for World Champion Rob Heffernan, who is being introduced to the crowd.
And here’s the Cork subs for today’s game:
Darren McCarthy (Ballymartle), Killian Murphy (Erins Own), Mark Ellis (Millstreet), Tom Kenny (Grenagh), Stephen White (Ballygarvan), Rob O’Shea (Carrigaline), Cian McCarthy (Sarsfields), Cathal Naughton (Newtownshandrum), Stephen Moylan (Douglas), Michael O’Sullivan (Tracton), Michael Cussen (Sarsfields).
Which manager will be celebrating today?
Davy Fitzgerald…
Or Jimmy Barry-Murphy…
Handshakes all round. The two teams are just shaking hands with each other on the red carpet moments after they all met President Michael D Higgins.
Random fact alert – all of the Cork team have taken off their helmets for the parade.
The atmosphere is pretty impressive here in Croke Park. The teams are walking by the Cusack Stand right now.
Croke Park is in superb condition and the rain is staying off for the moment. We’re closing in on throw in.
Here’s the Cork squad…
And here’s the Clare squad…
Match up’s to note see Brian Murphy on Tony Kelly while Cian Dillon is on Patrick Horgan.
Clare 0-2 Cork 0-1: 6 mins – Cork hit back through Seamus Harnedy, who has had a fine debut season.
Clare 0-3 Cork 0-1: 7 mins – The man who was doubtful to start raises a white flag for Clare. Fine point by John Conlon.
Clare 0-3 Cork 0-2: 7 mins – First placed ball of the day for Patrick Horgan and he converts it in style for Cork.
Clare 0-4 Cork 0-2: 8 mins – First scoring chance of the day for Clare’s Tony Kelly. He seizes it too as he skips onto a loose ball.
Clare 0-4 Cork 0-3: 10 mins – Cork fight back as Luke O’Farrell is fouled and Patrick Horgan clips over a 20-yard free.
Clare 0-4 Cork 0-4: 11 mins – Clare concede another free, this time for a foul on Seamus Harnedy. Again Horgan proves accurate.
Darach Honan currently down receiving treatment after being challenged off the ball.
Goal chance for Cork as Daniel Kearney breaks clear but his low shot is stopped on the line by Clare’s Patrick Kelly.
Cork win a 20-yard free and bring Anthony Nash upfield but his goal bound effort is stopped by Patrick Kelly of Clare.
Clare 0-7 Cork 0-4: 21 mins – Collins is fouled by William Egan and Colin Ryan smacks over the free for Clare.
Clare 0-8 Cork 0-4: 22 mins – Great interplay by the Clare forwards sees Podge Collins play in club mate Conor McGrath and he stylishly points.
Clare definitely getting on top now. Their half-back line, particularly Conor Ryan, looks really strong.
Clare 0-8 Cork 0-5: 23 mins – Cork claw a pint back through a Horgan free after William Egan was fouled.
Clare 0-9 Cork 0-5: 25 mins – Colin Ryan has been really impressive with his free taking for Clare and he converts another there.
Clare 0-9 Cork 0-6: 27 mins – Patrick Horgan converts a free for Cork after David McInerney was blown up for over-carrying.
Clare 0-10 Cork 0-6: 28 mins – Quick thinking by Colin Ryan from a sideline creates the chance for Paraic Collins to point.
Clare 0-11 Cork 0-6: 30 mins – Colin Ryan on the mark from a free after Brendan Bugler was fouled.
Clare 0-11 Cork 0-7: 31 mins – Battle of the free takers so far. Patrick Horgan rifles over another for Cork.
Just the one point from play for Cork in this half and that was by Seamus Harnedy. Everything else has come from Horgan’s free taking.
Clare 0-11 Cork 0-8: 32 mins – Seamus Harnedy works hard to win the ball and offloads to Daniel Kearney who fires over a neat point.
Clare 0-12 Cork 0-9: 33 mins – Good play by Lorcan McLoughlin and Patrick Horgan paves the way for Brian Murphy to point for Cork.
Cork just hanging in there despite Clare’s dominance. Refereeing decisions have favored Cork so far it seems.
Clare 0-12 Cork 0-10: 36 mins – Long range point by Patrick Horgan but amazing stick work by Conor O’Sullivan to offload the ball to him.
Half-Time: Clare 0-12 Cork 0-10: And that’s how it stands at the break with Clare ahead by two points.
We’re getting set for the second-half. Stephen Moylan on for Cork instead of Jamie Coughlan.
Clare 0-14 Cork 0-10: 37 mins – And Colin Ryan flights over another free for Clare.
Clare 0-14 Cork 1-10: 40 mins – Magnificent individual goal by Conor Lehane! He surged through the defence and finished in style. Big boost for Cork.
Clare 0-15 Cork 1-10: 42 mins – Conor McGrath is fouled and Colin Ryan fires over the free.
Clare 0-16 Cork 1-11: 44 mins – That is outrageous. Podge Collins swivels and hits a ridiculously good point from the Cusack Stand side.
Clare 0-16 Cork 1-12: 45 mins – Cork hit back with a classy point from Daniel Kearney into Hill 16.
And Ryan is off target again for Clare. This latest free looked a straightforward chance.
Clare 0-17 Cork 1-12: 48 mins – Conor McGrath points after great play by Patrick Donnellan for Clare. Heroic work by Conor O’Sullivan before that to twice deny Clare a goal.
Clare 0-18 Cork 1-12: 50 mins – John Conlon points for Clare. They’re getting on top once more.
Clare 0-19 Cork 1-12: 52 mins – Colin Ryan extends Clare’s lead with a point from distance from a free.
Clare 0-20 Cork 1-13: 53 mins – Colin Ryan on target with a point from play for Clare.
Patrick Horgan wide from a free for Cork. It’s not happening for them today so far. Clare firmly on top.
Clare 0-21 Cork 1-13: 55 mins – No such problems at the other end as Colin Ryan taps over a free for Clare.
Clare 0-21 Cork 2-13: 57 mins – Bullet of a 20 yard free from Anthony Nash to the net after Luke O’Farrell was fouled.
Anthony Nash fires in a long range free, balls break loose and Seamus Harnedy gathers it before being wrestled to the ground.
Brendan Bugler got a touch to divert it onto the crossbar and Clare clear to safety! Huge drama!
Clare 0-22 Cork 2-13: 61 mins – Colin Ryan points free for Clare. Cathal McInerney replaces Darach Honan.
Clare 0-23 Cork 3-14: 63 mins – We’re level after Stephen Moylan sets up his captain and Cronin smashes to the net. What a game!
Nicky O’Connell and Fergal Lynch on for Clare. Colm Galvin and John Conlon go off.
Moments before Cronin’s goal, Cathal McInerney’s point attempt hit the bar and Podge Collins saw his effort from the rebound stopped.
Clare 0-24 Cork 3-15: 66 mins – Patrick Horgan points a free for Cork. Stephen White on for Daniel Kearney.
Hate to say it cuz I’m a Cork fan but that was a red card for the Cork fullback.
B Collins – totally agree – giving wrong message to kids and looked deliberate
this is the third time cork has got the rub of the green with refs ,in my opinion the ref kept cork in it
Bill in my opinion Clare kept Cork in it. Clare threw away.
Now that’s the national anthem..after the x factor shite we heard in the aviva Friday night..
I thought the exact same thing.
Ah lads nadia forde is some bit of stuff.it was the highlight of that match Friday night.cant think of anything else worth talking about that happened in it.
I was there friday night and had to triple check when they said nadia forde…the model I said to meself couldn’t believe it
Leslie – best part of that game was when the pitch got invaded!
She’s a stunner and fair play, she can sing too. It was just a bit maudlin’ for my liking.
Yea Les what happened there? tele wouldn’t show it..
Jamie – a man ran out trying to encourage the team – security chasing him
Some fat lad in a tracksuit. Reckoned he’d had one too many ciders
What a game
Shane O’Neill got away with it again just like he did against Kilkenny. O’Dwyer and Shefflin got sent off for much less.
Yeah it’s amazing how the referees have sides with cork the las few games.cork have 16 men on the pitch
Up the banner
I wonder how cork would cope if they got a man sent off.it would be strange as they’re used to playing with an extra man
We like to keep it clean Nelly. only stupid teams get men sent off
Heart says Clare, head says Cork. Croke Park looks superb, here’s to our national game!
That was a sending off! Again cork get off lightly and are lucky again.
I know cork have played 15 against 14 the last two games.today they’re playing 16v15 the ref is their extra man
You are pathetic
Just like semi final ref siding with cork and keeping them in game. Definite sending off
Tom how many bad decisions has the ref made against Clare.hes keeping cork in the game only for him Clare would be leading by more
Shane O’Neill is pure filth. Cant see Cork winning this unless they get help from the ref again like they did against Kilkenny and Dublin, neither game they would have won only for poor refereeing decisions
What the hell would anyone from Clara know about hurling? Like another famous son of there winging it I suppose!
If cork win today will Brian Gavin be aloud on the open top bus for the celebrations he’s by far corks best asset today
agree Nelly,
as a neutral – the poor standard of refereeing was very obvious.
The ref kept Cork in the game.
Clare by far the better team, & if there’s any justice they will win next time ’round.
U are blind
Boo if I was blind how would I be able to comment on here?
Up the Rebels
Come on Clare!!!
Come On The Banner!
Good game so far. Cork should be down to 14 men. Good saves by both goalies. Cracking game so far. But the ref is a bit dodgy. Just gave cork another soft free.
Terrible free, clare have outhurled cork and the ref is doing his very best to look after corks interests
The ref has given cork some amount of leeway in this game. Instend of the game we are commenting on the ref. Making a name for himself.
Don’t know about that. Clare wild pull should also have been carded. Clare goalie picked the ball from the ground with his hands in the small square. Shoulda been a penalty. All in all, the missed calls from the ref have balanced out. It’d just be better if there wasn’t any of the foul play at all.
@ B.Collins in fairness we wouldnt be talking about a cork penalty, if the ref had done his job at the other end less than a minute before.
But late but picking the ball in the square is a technical foul and as such not a penalty.
Come on Leitrim…. Oh wait
shockin ref … what is it with cork and refs ???
Possibly a wad of cash?!?! Joke people’s, save the red thumb for your partner!
C’mon the Banner. Do it for Nana and Grandad… And Mam!
Shocking ref clare should be leading by 7 and a man up
How did O’Neill get away with that? Blatant strike across the head with the hurl. Right in front of the umpires too. Dirty play.
Cork fans booing? Woulda been daylight robbery. It’s a minimum of 2 mins, at refs discretion whether there’s any more. I thought there shoulda been 3 mins injury time. Draw fair result.
Thanks Score.ie for updates in Poland and can’t see the game!
Vinny you would be do well to see the game from Poland.
The right funny boy Nelly
Don’t know about that … I’m on Khaosan Road in Bangkok and the game was love in a bar here !!!
* live not love … that’s the beer talking …. and before there’s any comments from the cheap seats the other half is with me !!!!
In a go go bar are you?
Yeah … I brought the missus to a gogo bar …. That’d work !! ;-)
O Neil should have gotten a red card, that twice now he’s gotten away with it!! Disgraceful!!
That’s why hurling is the best sport in the world.
Come on the draw and its 11/1 odds.
That’s looking good
Yessss. Get the f**k in. Someone buy that ref a pint. Woooohooo
Plenty of cork people would like to buy him a pint after that performance
How much had you on a draw??
Relieved or robbed? I feel both.
It’s an engrossing spectacle for a neutral,Clare half backs absolutely dominant,Cork doing well to be only 2 down.
Have to say Cork were very lucky with 2 of their frees,and Shane O’Neill sailed very close to the wind.Should be a cracking second half.
Very poor ref. All right with him not spoiling an All-Ireland by sending of the Cork full back but he yellow cards Honan, then Cork nearly steal a quick against the play goal in other half. Clare the better side, playing great hurling all over the pitch. Cork came strong at the end of first half, so it’ll be a cracker of a second half.
Poor referee Gavin,was the same in last years final replay.Cork should have O’Neill sent off and got two points from frees that Clare should have been given.Clare look the most likely to win at this stage.
I thought if we had won today we would have mugged Clare. Cork can’t play that badly again. Now I will leave the stage for Nelly to bitch and moan. I hope he starts with the last Fergy time point
Nelly’s a dude? Learn something new everyday!! Great game of hurling :)
Hopefully Clare can get a bit of a lead built up before they’re reduced to 14 men
Would cork be playing today if they had to play the last 2games against 15 men.me thinks not
Stupid, ill thought out comment Nelly.
Why Tom?
@nelly… Change the record sham!
Martin do you not think the ref is keeping cork in the game
Your either a Dublin Kilkenny or Clare fan
@nelly. What about his decision not to re take the penalty? Your hatred for cork is very childish! Enjoy the game and get over it.
C’mon The Rebels
Cork are playing their worst half of the championship
Nerves?
Mon the banner. Great game. Please stop letting Davy Fitz talk after the match. Jimmy Barry Murphy was a pure gent and then Fitzy permanent scowl.
Tool
Ref was shocking played on for the replay. Greedy GAA
Disagree, minimum of 2 mins. Felt 3 mins was right. Draw a fair result. Great game of hurling.
I’m not a Cork or Clare supporter – felt Clare played far better but Cork should have won in the end. Whatever you felt was right, the ref decided that 2 mins was the right time and should stick to that. The only people the result was fair for was the GAA – the players and supporters (with another €70) have to go and do it all again in 3 weeks’ time.
Another €70? Tickets are €80, and if its the same as last yr, replay tickets will be €50, with added discounts for families.
So ye wait years for an all Ireland final and get to play in 2 in the same month and yer moaning!! FFS!!
Cracking game, as a neutral , If i was a Clare supporter I wouldn’t be happy with the Ref. A non sending off and 4 soft frees before half time that should have been given to Clare. That was the reason Cork were only two points down at half time .Furthermore, I hope there is a different referee for next game as he was poor overall. Clare were the better team and really should have won.
if i was a clare supporter i would be estactic with the ref he played nearly a minute extra which allowed Clare to equalise. I reckon the Gaa were in his ear sayin we need more money
Delighted. Clare were the better team, even JBM in his post match interview said Cork didn’t deserve to win it. They shouldn’t have had 15 men on the pitch after O’Neill’s strike.
Cork absolutely dont deserve to win this. They are crying out now for another assist from the referee by sending off an opposing player. I knew Cork wouldnt win as long as they were up against 15 men as they are too used to playing 14. They shouldnt even be in the final, Kilkenny and Dublin would have beat them only the ref sent players off wrongfully
Does that podge guy ever stop diving? Any little touch and he goes down
Cork looking for handouts from the ref again, they absolutely dont deserve to win this game and as I said they shouldnt even be in the final
@Steve, Cork didn’t deserve anything out of that game. Got away with it. Looking forward to a replay and hopefully a much better referee.
Sorry I thought I saw 3 goals hit the back if your net. Am u wrong then
watching the game as a neutral.
very unimpressed by the referee & some very questionable decisions.
Cork are very lucky with the draw – & also a help that they had the extra man, (the referee) on side!
Sounds like a great finish to the best day in world sport!
Rules of the game O’Neill should have walked. Hope the ref has better game this half as he was awful first half and really have kept cork in the match. I initially fancied Cork for this one.
Clare tackling and work rate brilliant , cork way off the pace , goals keeping them in it and soft free’s
Cork got soft frees and should have had a man sent off. On the other hand Claire got a few soft frees also. Can’t see cork thy bad again. Bring on the replay
Tickets???!!
Anthony Nash is to Cork what Stephen Cluxton is to Dublin
Yeah a Goalkeeper
Sean – well done!!
Sorry Aurilton couldn’t resist
Sean – did you not know….
They are both ‘northsiders’
North Cork / North Dublin ;)
What a great second half, can’t wait for the replay
Cork playing terribly and only 2 points down, JBM will definitely be the happier of the 2 managers
Great goal – now we’re sucking diesel!!
Is that Willie Frazer in the pic. with Gerry Adams. The ref. robbed Clare..He was a total disgrace. So it’s ok to hit a player across the head with a hurley. Not alone had they to try and beat Cork but the Ref. as well.
Blah blah blah
Up The Dubs!
Up the Banner.
Some lovely hurling going on there… Including absolute artistry from the Goalies!
The GAA won again using the Sir Alex tactic
Nash is under pressure
Fix!
17.04: I get the tv back!! :)
Where are my comments??.
Only thing the red got right today was making it a draw! No team deserved to either win it or loose it! Who ref next day?
Is it a spectical of hurling today live?