Clare are All Ireland Hurling champions for 2024 following a thrilling 3-29 to 1-34 extra-time victory over Cork at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.
A magical 1-04 return from captain Tony Kelly coupled with goals from Aidan McCarthy and Mark Rodgers proved the difference for Clare in a thrilling final that showcased the best of Irish sport and culture.
Cork, aiming to win their first All Ireland Hurling title since 2005, started much the brighter of the two sides and raced into a 1-07 to 0-03 after just 11 minutes thanks to a superb goal from Robert Downey, who rose highest to collect a Clare puck out before racing around 80 yards toward the Clare goal and rifling a shot past Eibhear Quilligan.
Clare, playing in their first final since 2013 when they overcame Cork in similarly thrilling fashion, came back into the contest through a goal from McCarthy after 18 minutes after some excellent work from the tireless Shane O'Donnell.
O'Donnell tenaciously won possession deep in Cork territory before feeding McCarthy, who rattled a shot past Patrick Collins to leave four points between the teams.
Two quickfire points from O'Donnell reduced the arrears to two points and suddenly Clare were in the ascendancy.
The Banner took the lead on the stroke of half-time through David Reidy, only for Darragh Fitzgibbon to level matters at 1-12 apiece in first-half injury time.
The second period started in tit-for-tat fashion, but Clare hit the front through a magnificent Rodgers goal five minutes into the half.
Collecting the ball on the Cork 45, Rodgers showed a clean pair of heels to the Cork defenders before driving an unstoppable shot past Collins.
Cork leveled proceedings once again before Kelly took center stage.
The Clare captain showed outrageous skill to flick the ball over Seán O'Donoghue and guide a shot past Collins.
Once again, however, Cork battled back and tied up proceedings at 3-20 to 1-26 with just one minute remaining.
Kelly looked to have won the game for Clare when he twisted and turned his way through the Cork defense before firing an audacious shot over his left shoulder to give Clare a one-point lead.
There was to be a final twist, however, with a late, late Patrick Horgan free sending the game to extra time.
The sides traded four points apiece in a tense opening half, with Kelly again coming to the fore with two magnificent points.
Another superb Kelly effort in the second period of extra time appeared to give Clare the push they needed as the Banner raced into a three-point lead with just over two minutes remaining, but again Cork responded.
Horgan, who became the top scorer in Hurling Championship history on Sunday, fired over two quick points to leave a solitary point between the teams with just thirty seconds remaining.
They almost pulled off another late escape act when Robbie O'Flynn rose highest to claim a Patrick O'Connor free, but his close-range effort drifted narrowly wide of the posts and handed Clare their fifth All Ireland title.
O'Flynn appeared to have his jersey pulled as he took on the match-defining shot and had legitimate claims for a free-in to send the game to a replay, but Clare probably just about edged an enthralling contest and were worthy winners.
Their ability to get goals - and spectacular goals at that - at crucial times proved the difference in a game that came down to the narrowest of margins.
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