McGrath’s thunderbolt strike was a real game-breaker
Although Shane O’Donnell’s three goals provided Clare with the platform for victory, Cork made a stirring second-half comeback. This ensured an exciting and enthralling contest. With the game level, a long Cork puck-out was snapped up by Clare full-back Cian Dillon as it fell on his side with ten minutes remaining. He drove forward confidently and knocked the ball in over the top. Two Cork defenders failed to cut out the danger and Clare’s Conor McGrath fastened onto the loose ball 40 yards out. He drove for goal and finished expertly with a thunderbolt into the top corner . It was the game-breaker and Clare never looked back. Cork goalkeeper Anthony Nash, a certainty for an All Star and my Hurler of the Year, will be disappointed with his positioning for this one. He got caught behind full-back Shane O’Neill who was giving him cover on the left side of the goal. Moving a step or two to his right would have given him a better chance of saving McGrath’s effort.
