CLERMONT WERE ONCE again denied European glory by Toulon on Saturday, but their fullback Nick Abendanon can at least look back on his try fondly.
The former Bath man carelessly kicked the ball away in the build-up to Mathieu Bastareaud’s five-pointer right on half time but backed himself to get it right midway through the second half.
Abendanon spotted a raft of forwards standing in midfield and exploited the mismatch excellently.
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A lot of people think Abendanon should be included in England’s World Cup squad on the back of his strong Champions Cup form and it will be interesting to see if Stuart Lancaster brings him in.
As a Limerick man, many congratulations to Clare, an absolute all time classic All Ireland final, Clare suffered over the last few years but kept coming back, fair play. Tony Kelly was a wizard at times, Shane O Donnell too.
Tough luck Cork, lit up the championship.
GAA please extend the hurling championship season, give it a little room to breathe, this match should have been replayed after 70 minutes. Flogging these warrior men. Championship run off over 14 weeks…. absolute madness.
@Michael Kennedy: Absolutely correct on the need to show better respect to the warriors on that pitch today – I would say that there should have been a replay after 70 mins as a disappointed Corkman – but it was one of the greatest games I’ve ever been lucky enough to be at – and I’ve been going to Cork games for over 40 years. Congrats to Clare, great performance today – and thanks to those Cork players and management for a brilliant year – every Cork fan is proud of the performance today and throughout the year. Well done to Pat Ryan for not getting involved in nit picking with the referee’s calls, touch of class. One more year please Hoggy…..
A special, special player. The greats turn up on the biggest days and he put on a show. Some of the scores were out of this world.
I want to thank Ray Ridge for picking Cork. Which made me run out to the bookie and bet Clare. Well done Ray you never disappoint
Shane o Donnell was like a ferret or something today, cork couldn’t get a hold on him, brilliant final today, the referee was good today because normally he’s awful fool for blowing his whistle. How he missed that last free I’ll never know, Liam is heading for Ennis fair play Clare
Those 40 odd lads should never have been asked to play another 20 minutes!