All-Ireland final diary

O’Gara helping Clare

Wed, 04 Sep, 2013 - 01:00

Clare’s Colin Ryan has revealed a Cork man has helped him improve as a free taker. “What has changed over the last couple of years is the amount the mental side plays in it, the amount of routine. I keep saying that word, but it’s massive for a free-taker. I’ve read Ronan O’Gara’s and Jonny Wilkinson’s books and you take a lot from what they do and how consistent they’ve been. You just try to get to that level and thank God it’s going ok.”

Banner bliss

Any Clare fans heading up to Dublin early this weekend could do worse than swing by the GAA Museum in Croke Park on Saturday. As part the Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland Legends series, two-time All-Ireland winner Jamesie O’Connor will conduct a tour of the museum at noon, revisiting some of the highlights of his glittering career and offering some insights into the main event the next day. In addition, John Torpey, a renowned hurley-maker from Sixmilebridge, will give a demonstration of his craft in the museum on both Saturday and Sunday. Admission to the museum is just €3.50.

Anorak Alert

To answer the question we posed here yesterday: who was the last team other than Kilkenny to beat Cork in an All Ireland final? It was Wexford, who won by 2-14 to 2-8 all the way back in 1956.

Under wraps

While Cork see no problem in publicising that the county’s post-match reception on Sunday will take place in the DT Dublin Hotel (or the Burlington, in old money), with tickets €100, finding info on Clare’s banquet is a bit harder to come by. It seems to be the case that the event is already sold out, but Banner chiefs continue to remain tight-lipped on the exact location.

Did you know?

The Cork management hold an incredible total of 17 All-Ireland medals between them: Jimmy Barry-Murphy leads the field with six (one football), Johnny Crowley has five, Ger Cunningham three, Kieran Kingston and Seanie McGrath one each.

Get your programmes

Cork GAA chiefs yesterday tweeted a cover of Sunday’s match programme which is certain to get the pulses racing.