JBM: We wouldn't have deserved the win

Cork manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy insisted it was "a fair result" after his side played out a thrilling draw with Clare in today's All-Ireland SHC final at Croke Park.

The Munster rivals will meet again in a replay on Saturday, September 28 after the levelling point came from unlikely source - Clare corner back Domhnall O'Donovan - to leave it 0-25 to 3-16 in a breathless finish.

The Banner men were long-time leaders and dominated for much of the 70 minutes, however second-half goals from Conor Lehane, goalkeeper Anthony Nash and Pa Cronin kept Cork in touch.

The Rebels had only hit the net once in the 2013 Championship before today's decider, but Cronin's classy strike, allied to free-taker Pat Horgan's tenth point in injury-time, had Barry-Murphy's side on course for a gritty win.

There was one final twist though as O'Donovan seized his opportunity to pull a draw out of the fire for Clare, who will have a number of players in action in next Saturday's All-Ireland U-21 final against Antrim.

Barry-Murphy, who managed Cork to All-Ireland senior glory in 1999, admitted his players were "a little bit down" as they reflected on the dramatic conclusion to the game.

"I thought we might have nicked it in the end," he said

"I don't think we would have deserved it on the day because Clare were outstanding and we struggled for lots of the game. But the lads showed great spirit and fantastic character to come back.

"I thought a draw was a fair result. We didn't play well in the first half in particular. Clare were very, very good and they were always a step or two ahead of us."

Although Cork were just seconds away from their first All-Ireland triumph since 2005, this was a below-par performance from the Rebels on the whole and they relied heavily on those goals in order to hang on to Clare's coat-tails.

As it turned out, this previously goal-shy Cork side could have ended the final with five to their name.

Midway through the first half, net minder Nash had a 21-yard free saved by opposite number Patrick Kelly and he also watched a penalty effort be deflected onto the crossbar in the closing stages.

Of the goals they did register, Barry-Murphy admitted: "We needed the goals badly. We didn't have many goals all year and certainly we needed them today.

"It (the draw) is an anti-climax for everybody but that is the way it goes. A draw is a fair result. Our lads showed great character."