A final of joy and despair as Clare complete the legend

As a final it was bedlam. 111 shots, 66 scores across 90 minutes of inescapable sporting drama in front of a sellout stadium.

ELATION: Clare's John Conlon celebrates with the Liam MacCarthy cup. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

It doesn’t stop. The endeavour, the theatre, the roar. Every cheer is superseded by another. Long after Clare’s final whistle celebrations, after Brian Lohan and Liam MacCarthy are both lifted high, Hill 16 suddenly goes even more ballistic.

Supporters commemorate a stalwart. John Conlon is charging. It is hard to imagine this cacophony that greets him will ever cease. Picture what it would take to make it better. Picture Tony Kelly, the captain and predominant match winner, striding towards him before they merge in an emotional embrace. The legend is complete. For them, this is perfect.