Happy All-Ireland hurling final day to one and all.
New champions will be crowned as Clare and Cork go head-to-head, and we’re counting down the minutes until throw-in at Croke Park.
The action gets underway at 3.30pm, with live coverage available on RTÉ 2 and BBC 2.
We’ll keep you up to date right here, starting with team news.
It’s gonna be good!
Team News
Clare and Cork both named unchanged starting teams from their respective semi-final wins. They’re listed below, but as always, we’ll update you on any late changes.
Clare
1. Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
2. Adam Hogan (Feakle), 3. Conor Cleary (Kilmaley — captain), 4. Conor Leen (Corofin)
5. Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe), 6. John Conlon (Clonlara), 7. David McInerney (Tulla),
9. Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge), 10. Tony Kelly (Ballyea)
8. David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona), 14. Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg Ennis), 12. Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin)
13. Aidan McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona), 11. Mark Rodgers (Scariff), 15. David Reidy (Éire Óg Ennis)
Subs
16. Cian Broderick (Clarecastle)
17. Rory Hayes (Wole Tones na Sionna)
18. Paul Flanagan (Ballyea)
19. Cian Galvin (Clarecastle)
20. Darragh Lohan (Wole Tones na Sionna)
21. Ryan Taylor (Clooney-Quin)
22. Sedna Morey (Sixmilebridge)
23. Aron Shanagher (Wole Tones na Sionna)
24. Ian Galvin (Clonlara)
25. Shane Meehan (Banner)
26. Robin Mounsey (Ruan)
Cork
1. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)
2. Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), 3. Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), 4. Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra – captain)
5. Ciaran Joyce (Castlemartyr), 6. Robert Downey (Glen Rovers), 7. Mark Coleman (Blarney)
8. Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), 9. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville)
10. Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neills), 11. Shane Barrett (Blarney), 12. Seamus Harnedy (St Ita’s)
13. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers), 14. Alan Connolly (Blackrock), 15. Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s)
Subs
16. Brion Saunderson (Midleton)
17. Damien Cahalane (St.Finbarr’s)
18. Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neill’s)
19. Tommy O’ Connell (Midleton)
20. Luke Meade (Newcestown)
21. Ethan Twomey (St.Finbarr’s)
22. Conor Lehane (Midleton)
23. Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields)
24. Shane Kingston (Douglas)
25. Padraig Power (Blarney)
26. Robbie O’Flynn (Erin’s Own)
So, how do we see this going?
Both counties are looking to end lengthy waits for All-Ireland glory. Clare last lifted the silverware in 2013 — after a replay victory over Cork — while the Rebels haven’t climbed the steps of the Hogan Stand since 2005.
Cork ended Limerick’s Drive for Five in a thrilling semi-final victory, while the Banner finally vanquished their Kilkenny demons.
It’s all about going one step further today, though.
Cork’s jubilee team have been presented on the pitch at Croke Park. Some lovely scenes as the 1999 All-Ireland hurling heroes are recognised.
Cork 1999 jubilee team presented to the crowd at Croke Park. pic.twitter.com/K4Hcx6EROr
— Fintan O'Toole (@fotoole13) July 21, 2024
There’s plenty of pre-match reading on The 42 to whet the appetite. From player guides and interviews to tactical analysis and retrospective pieces, our GAA team have been extremely busy this week.
Fintan O’Toole and Declan Bogue are in situ at Croke Park to document the day, but you can read all of their excellent build-up work here >
Both teams start as selected. A reminder…
Clare
1. Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
2. Adam Hogan (Feakle), 3. Conor Cleary (Kilmaley — captain), 4. Conor Leen (Corofin)
5. Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe), 6. John Conlon (Clonlara), 7. David McInerney (Tulla),
8. David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona), 9. Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
10. Tony Kelly (Ballyea), 11. Mark Rodgers (Scariff), 12. Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin)
13. Aidan McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona), 14. Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg Ennis), 15. David Reidy (Éire Óg Ennis)
Cork
1. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)
2. Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), 3. Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), 4. Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra – captain)
5. Ciaran Joyce (Castlemartyr), 6. Robert Downey (Glen Rovers), 7. Mark Coleman (Blarney)
8. Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), 9. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville)
10. Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neills), 11. Shane Barrett (Blarney), 12. Seamus Harnedy (St Ita’s)
13. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers), 14. Alan Connolly (Blackrock), 15. Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s)
The parade is underway, then we’ll have the anthem and it’ll be go-time!
“Here we are on the verge of history. Let’s be honest, none of us saw this coming,” Marty Morrissey begins his pre-match soliloquy on RTÉ…
Cork 0-2 Clare 0-0
1 min – Seamus Harnedy adds another. It came from a long O’Mahony ball in, Patrick Horgan slipped as he prepared to shoot but recovered and popped it back to Harnedy. Great start for the Rebels.
Cork 0-2 Clare 0-0
3 mins – Two Clare wides, first Peter Duggan and then David McInerney.
Cork 0-3 Clare 0-1
5 mins – Mark Rodgers from a tight angle. Clare look to settle after great work in the build-up from Tony Kelly and David Reidy.
Cork 0-3 Clare 0-2
5 mins – Diarmuid Ryan adds another for the Banner. Tony Kelly again instrumental in the build-up.
Cork 0-4 Clare 0-3
8 mins – Two more Clare wides from Tony Kelly and David Fitzgerald. 4-0 on the wide count so far.
Cork 0-5 Clare 0-3
9 mins – Patrick Horgan splits the post with his first free of the day. Came after John Conlon was pinged for steps.
Cork 0-6 Clare 0-3
10 mins – Great score from Harnedy after some superb play from Cork.
Cork 0-7 Clare 0-3
11 mins – Barrett bags his second point of the day, just like Harnedy before him. Four Cork points without reply.
GOAL! Cork 1-7 Clare 0-3 (Robert Downey, 12)
WOAAAAAH!!!! What a goal that is. Downey powers up the field, like he has done so many times before, and slams home. The dream start.
Cork 1-7 Clare 0-4
13 mins – Clare pull a point back through an Aidan McCarthy free, but have some way to go to get back into this.
Cork 1-8 Clare 0-4
15 mins – Mark Coleman gets in on the Cork scoring act. The goal looked to be on but he put on the brakes and popped over. Ciaran Joyce appears to be going off for treatment.
First wide of the game for Cork. They have been clinical so far.
GOAL! Cork 1-8 Clare 1-4 (Aidan McCarthy, 17)
Clare needed that! An excellent finish from McCarthy into the Hill 16 End after Shane O’Donnell weaved through the heart of the Cork defence in the build-up.
Cork 1-8 Clare 1-5
19 mins – Drama at each end. First, a Tony Kelly shot ricocheted off the post, but Eoin Downey reacted quickest to hold off Peter Duggan and clear Cork’s lines. Then HawkEye was used for the first time today to rule out a Harnedy effort.
Cork 1-8 Clare 1-7
22 mins – O’Donnell and Fitzgerald both on target to bring Clare within a point.
Cork 1-9 Clare 1-7
24 mins – Horgan fires over a free after missing his last one.
Conor Cleary sees yellow for the foul on Brian Hayes, John Conlon looks to have got away with one beforehand.
Cork 1-10 Clare 1-7
25 mins – Horgan nails a free to become the championship’s all-time leading scorer.
He previously had advantage for a jersey pull, but rifled his shot on goal just wide.
Cork 1-10 Clare 1-8
27 mins – McCarthy points at the other end. There looked to be a goal on beforehand, with O’Donnell causing problems, but Cork kept them out — momentarily.
Cork 1-11 Clare 1-8
29 mins – Horgan hits his fourth point of the day from a close-range free. Came after Adam Hogan saw yellow for a jersey pull.
Cork 1-11 Clare 1-9
30 mins – McCarthy sends over a ’65 after Diarmuid Ryan was brilliantly blocked by Downey.
Cork 1-11 Clare 1-10
31 mins – Mark Rodgers fires over, the gap shaved to the minimum.
Clare 1-12 Cork 1-11
32 mins – O’Donnell with an inspirational effort to put Clare into the lead for the first time today.
Clare 1-12 Cork 1-12
37 mins – Darragh Fitzgibbon with a huge score to tie matters at the break.
HALF-TIME: Clare 1-12 Cork 1-12
What a half of hurling! Time to draw breath after an opening period which had it all.
Cork roared out of the blocks and their dream start hit new heights when Robert Downey’s superb 12th-minute goal made it 1-7 to 0-3.
But Clare settled, Aidan McCarthy raising a green flag at the other end five minutes later, and after a purple patch of their own, we’re all square.
What did you make of it all? Let us know in the comments’ section below.
Here’s a look at the goals…
Robert Downey brings a moment of magic to hurling's biggest occasion
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 21, 2024
A sensational goal as he claims the puck out and runs through Clare's half to score
📲 Updates: https://t.co/6NBQ3ae85V
📺 Watch live @RTE2 & @RTEplayer https://t.co/AKAre5FHdN
📻 @rteradio1 #sundaygame pic.twitter.com/uT8ls5d576
Clare needed this goal badly.
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 21, 2024
Aidan McCarthy is teed up by Shane O'Donnell to find the net, when Cork were totally dominant.
📲 Updates: https://t.co/6NBQ3ae85V
📺 Watch live @RTE2 & @RTEplayer https://t.co/AKAre5FHdN
📻 @rteradio1 pic.twitter.com/KDGS0InwHN
Cork won the first 14 minutes, 1-8 to 0-4. Clare won the rest of the half, 1-8 to 0-4. Finely-balanced at the break.
— Fintan O'Toole (@fotoole13) July 21, 2024
Super refereeing by Johnny Murphy so far in All Ireland Hurling Final….. 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌 @OfficialCorkGAA V @GaaClare
— Michael Fennelly (@MFennellyKK) July 21, 2024
Clare are back out on the pitch, Cork will soon join them, and we’re almost ready to rock again!
SECOND HALF: Clare 1-12 Cork 1-12
We’re off again. Buckle up. A big third quarter awaits.
Cork 1-13 Clare 1-13
36 mins – Brian Hayes and Peter Duggan exchange scores early doors.
Cork 1-14 Clare 1-13
38 mins – Harnedy with his third point of the day after linking up with Horgan.
Darragh Lohan temporarily replaced Cathal Malone there as a blood sub.
GOAL! Clare 2-14 Cork 1-15 (Mark Rodgers, 40)
WHAT A FINISH!!! That is incredible, Mark Rodgers, take a bow. Clare have carved Cork open a few times in this game, and that was exhibit A. Superb strike, what a boost for the Banner.
Clare 2-14 Cork 1-16
43 mins – Back-to-back Clare wides, the first chalked off by HawkEye and the second from the stick of Tony Kelly. Another follows at the opposite end, Barrett the player to miss.
Think Brian Hayes has gone off as a blood sub, no confirmation as of yet though.
Clare 2-14 Cork 1-16
46 mins – Bit of a lull in the game here, after a couple more wides.
O’Donnell is holding his right shoulder after falling awkwardly, seems he is okay to continue.
Clare 2-14 Cork 1-17
47 mins – Huge score from O’Mahony to draw Cork level.
Came after a poor Fitzgerald wide at the other end, he should have just tapped it over but went for an unlikely goal.
Clare 2-15 Cork 1-17
49 mins – David Reidy on target for Clare.
Goal chance for Cork just beforehand – Harnedy was blocked as he charged in on goal with no shortage of options, but the ’65 wasn’t given. Unpopular decision, and frustration for Cork as Connolly was free to Harnedy’s right.
Clare 2-15 Cork 1-18
51 mins – Horgan free into the Hill to level matters for the seventh time.
McInerney and Connolly both see yellow as they pull one another down.
Ethan Twomey replaced Declan Dalton shorty beforehand and he was straight into the rough and tumble!
GOAL! Clare 3-15 Clare 1-18 (Tony Kelly, 52)
Oh my GOD! No words. Absolute and utter magic from TK. Wow.
We’ll bring you Tony Kelly’s magic moment the minute we can, but here’s Rodgers’ from earlier in the second half:
Mark Rodgers powers past the Cork defence after seizing on the broken ball from the puckout.
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 21, 2024
Clare are ahead thanks to the second Clare goal
📲 Updates: https://t.co/6NBQ3ae85V
📺 Watch live @RTE2 & @RTEplayer https://t.co/AKAre5FHdN
📻 @rteradio1 pic.twitter.com/dFfIkGJlfD
Clare 3-16 Cork 1-20
55 mins – Hoggie has his seventh point of the game, his latest free putting two points between the sides.
Ryan Taylor comes in for Aidan McCarthy.
THAT Tony Kelly goal:
Captain Tony Kelly with some superb individual play to score Clare's third goal
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 21, 2024
They take a grip on the game
📲 Updates: https://t.co/6NBQ3ae85V
📺 Watch live @RTE2 & @RTEplayer https://t.co/AKAre5FHdN
📻 @rteradio1 pic.twitter.com/1cB4krlVrT
Clare 3-16 Cork 1-21
57 mins – Eoin Downey with a colossal score to cut the gap to one. His first point of the 2024 championship, how big could that be?
Clare 3-17 Cork 1-22
59 mins – Fitzgerald edges Clare back in front.
Ian Galvin in for David Reidy.
Clare 3-18 Cork 1-22
60 mins – Rodgers points, and Clare lead by two on the hour-mark.
Clare 3-19 Cork 1-23
61 mins – Taylor, who has been Clare’s super sub of late, fires over.
Fitzgibbon responds at the other end after incredible individual work.
Clare 3-20 Cork 1-23
64 mins – Diarmuid Ryan for Clare, his third point from play.
Earlier, Fitzgerald had an effort ruled out by HawkEye, while Jack O’Connor replaced Alan Connolly for Cork. And referee Johnny Murphy fell over in the middle of it all. It’s all go!!!
Turns out Murphy got a bang in the middle of it all, but the referee has been treated and we’re ready to go again.
Aron Shanagher is in for Clare, replacing Peter Duggan. Cork look to Shane Kingston for Barrett.
Clare 3-20 Cork 1-23
67 mins – Shanagher has been straight into it, first a wide with his first touch and then conceding a free for a 50/50 tussle with the Cork defender.
Robbie O’Flynn replaces Harnedy.
Clare 3-20 Cork 1-24
69 mins – HUGE moment here. Cork get a close-range free after a player – think it was O’Flynn was pulled down – but no black card follows. Hoggie taps it over. Two-point game.
Clare 3-20 Cork 1-25
70 mins – Mark Coleman makes it a one-point game.
Five minutes added on.
Clare 3-20 Cork 1-25
71 mins – Cork wide.
Darragh Lohan in for the injured Conor Cleary.
Robert Downey goes off injured, Kelly was gesturing to the line there too but think he is still on. Madness. How will this finish!!!!?
Full-time: Clare 3-21 Cork 1-27
Hoggie scores – we’re going to extra time!!!!
WOWOWOWOW. Time to draw breath once more before extra time. Late drama – Tony Kelly v Patrick Horgan. It’s impossible to find the words. Are you ready for more?!?!
We're going to extra-time after a wonderful 70 minutes
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 21, 2024
📲 Updates: https://t.co/6NBQ3ae85V
📺 Watch live @RTE2 & @RTEplayer https://t.co/AKAre5FHdN
📻 @rteradio1 pic.twitter.com/lYN2rzNYgr
Epic stuff again in an All-Ireland hurling final from Cork and Clare. Tommy O'Connell priceless contribution for Cork in winning that free.
— Fintan O'Toole (@fotoole13) July 21, 2024
Few Cork players not firing but Tim O'Mahony has been terrific in the middle of the field, three points from play, constantly making things happen.
— Fintan O'Toole (@fotoole13) July 21, 2024
The entire ending to the 70-plus was a bit of a blur, but Clare must have felt like they had it when Tony Kelly fired over.
Conceding that last-gasp free will be hugely disappointing, too, but they must forget about it and go again. Cork, meanwhile, will surely have been aggrieved by some of the calls going against them. Here we go again, anyone’s game.
Clare are back out on the field, we’re still waiting for Cork.
“Steel in the brain” needed, as Dónal Óg Cusack says.
Clare 3-22 Cork 1-28
72 mins – Shane Kingston, similarly, with his own first touch, equalises.
Sides level for the 11th time. Shane O’Donnell is down with cramp but the game continues.
Clare 3-23 Cork 1-28
74 mins – Aidan McCarthy, back on the field, sends a free over to restore Clare’s lead.
Won by Galvin. Robbie O’Flynn hit a wide at the other end beforehand.
Cork 1-30 Clare 3-23
SAVE!!!!!!! Patrick Collins denies Tony Kelly, and then Ciaran Joyce blocks the follow-up shot. Brilliant defending, that will lift Cork.
Cork 1-31 Clare 3-24
79 mins – Ciaran Joyce points to put Cork ahead.
Rebels captain Seán O’Donoghue limps off, Ger Mellerick replaces him.
Cian Galvin is in for Diarmuid Ryan. Shane O’Donnell appears to be in serious bother, looks like he will have to come off too.
Cork 1-31 Clare 3-25
81 mins – Tony Kelly, what a score!!!!! He pounces on a poor Cork sideline ball and lets fly.
Shane Meehan is in for O’Donnell, by the way.
HT ET: Clare 3-25 Cork 1-31
Still level, as a Hoggie free drifts wide.
Treatment time ahead of the final 10 minutes. Quick turnaround, and we’ll be back for more. Just to note, that if it’s still level at full-time of extra-time, a replay will be required.
Cork 1-32 Clare 3-25
82 mins – McCarthy scores a free he is awarded. Level for the 15th time.
Some off-the-ball activity before he takes it, but the RTÉ cameras don’t show it.
Cork 1-32 Clare 3-26
85 mins – Ethan Twomey wide. Luke Meade replaces O’Mahony. And Mellerick and Kelly both saw yellow for the aforementioned alteration.
Cork 1-32 Clare 3-26
86 mins – SAVE! What a stop from Quilligan to deny Robbie O’Flynn.
Seadna Morey replaces Cathal Malone.
Clare 3-27 Cork 1-32
88 mins – TONY KELLY!!!! Another outrageous score. He robs the sliotar and pings over. Clare one point up.
Clare wide after HawkEye has a look. They’re two up with two minutes of extra time to play.
FT: Clare 3-29 Cork 1-34
HOW do you make sense of that?
No words for the finish, watch the footage for yourself:
Clare win their fifth All-Ireland hurling title with an epic 3-29 to 1-34 extra-time victory over Cork
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 21, 2024
One of the greatest games of all-time
📲 Updates: https://t.co/6NBQ3ae85V
📺 Watch live @RTE2 & @RTEplayer https://t.co/AKAre5FHdN pic.twitter.com/suTeTAprHN
A brutal way to lose for Cork, but the sweetest win for Clare.
Scenes at Croke Park, emotions running high as the Banner prepare to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup for the first time since 2013.
“One of the most unbelievable performances we have ever seen on the field in Croke Park,” as GAA President Jarlath Burns says.
“This is our culture.”
Extraordinary game, epic win for Clare. When need was greatest the contributions of Tony Kelly defined the outcome.
— Fintan O'Toole (@fotoole13) July 21, 2024
His 87th minute point was critical, turning over Cork in defence, breaking free and pointing the lead score.
Sickening defeat for Cork. Looked like they were getting on top in first-half of extra-time but just slightly dipped in those last few minutes. Game of tight margins, few breaks didn't seem to go their way from Johnny Murphy.
— Fintan O'Toole (@fotoole13) July 21, 2024
Tony Kelly lifts the Liam MacCarthy Cup.
What a moment for him, what a sensational game he had!!! Generational talent.
“In Clare, hurling is like a religion — and Brian Lohan is like our God.”
What a line, what a speech.
