All-Ireland finals - Sport the big winner

Cork’s win in the Ladies’ All-Ireland football final was all the more welcome in the wake of the result of the All-Ireland hurling final replay. Clare must be congratulated on winning their fourth all-Ireland senior hurling title, but there were no losers in either game.

Cork contributed greatly to what will be remembered as one of the most exiting hurling finals. It was a magnificent spectacle to cap a fantastic year. Many counties will look back on the year with a degree of satisfaction. Dublin won the Leinster Championship after more than half a century, while Limerick won the Munster title. No team went undefeated in this year’s championship.

Even the disappointed Cork supporters were proud of their team’s performance. They can look back on the year with satisfaction. The team not only beat reigning champions Kilkenny but have the distinction of being the only team to beat Clare in this year’s championship.

Rarely do replays lived up to the excitement of the drawn game, but Saturday’s encounter was every bit as thrilling. The game was played in a commendable sporting spirit, and the manner in which supporters from both sides mixed together in the attendance of over 82,000 was exemplary.

Cork manager Jimmy Barry Murphy graciously admitted that Clare deserved their victory. Sport in general and hurling in particular were also the winners.