Cork v Clare Player Ratings: How the hurlers fared in Croke Park classic
Robert Downey is tackled by Clare's David Fitzgerald during the All-Ireland hurling final at Croke Park. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
Under pressure earlier this season, his booming puck-outs have been integral to Cork’s turnaround. Clare’s half-back line were ready for the aerial onslaught. Made an incredible save in the first half of extra time to deny Tony Kelly a goal and swept out smartly a few times to clear danger. No chance for any of the three goals. 7
Came into the final in All-Star form and while Aidan McCarthy got 1-1 from play, he fared well until he was forced off with an injury.
Cork’s youngest player, he had to tag Peter Duggan when he was shifted inside but didn’t show any nerves. Got his first championship point and did extremely well on the powerful Aron Shanagher when he was introduced.
Shouldered the burden of the captaincy and spent most of his game marking Shane O’Donnell, who was irrepressible at times. Came out with some vital interceptions but under pressure for spells until he picked up an injury.
Got into the groove as the season went on and was on a lot of first-half ball, when he clipped a point. Quiet for a lot of the second half but a key reason Cork forced extra time and to the fore in that 20 minutes as well. Ended the evening with 0-3 from play.
Has endured a few injury issues but restored to the number six slot here. Clare’s rotating front six did open up space but as the game wore on he was far more imposing. Scored a point and fouled for a free. Put his body on the line to stop a certain goal.
Switch to wing-back paid off as he caught a puck-out and thundered up for an astonishing goal. Arguably Cork’s best player and a big loss, certainly in terms of height on Clare restarts, when he limped out just before the end of normal time.
Versatile and worked like a dog in the middle third. Tagged Tony Kelly and did well in that regard, until the Clare captain came up with some insane scores. O'Mahony had 0-3 of his own and had three assists. Ran himself into the ground.
Was Cork’s best player across the whole season and landed 0-2 but Cathal Malone did an excellent job man-marking him. Swapping him to centre-forward got him motoring but John Conlon didn’t allow him to get away too often either.
Long-range weapon, he just couldn’t get his hands on the sliotar aside from a distance wide. Couldn’t be faulted for effort but it just didn’t happen for him.
SHANE BARRETT: His pace at 11 transformed Cork in recent months.
Started well and pointed twice but John Conlon got on top in the second quarter. Replaced in the second half.
Twice an All-Star before, his form has been brilliant yet again. Landed two lovely early points though his marker Diarmuid Ryan also shone. Ended up with four assists, 0-4 from play, and only a last-ditch hook denied him a certain goal.
Cork’s talismanic forward, 17 years on the go, was hurling in his fourth All-Ireland. Came close to a goal, ended up with two points from play, two assists, and converted some frees under extreme pressure. Cork just needed to get him on a bit more ball close to the danger zone.
After his hat-trick in Thurles, he was overdue a goal but Clare were ready for his threat. Was peripheral in the opening period though, Adam Hogan relishing the challenge, and eventually taken off.
Man of the Match in the semi. He caused Conor Cleary a lot of issues and forced him to get a yellow card for persistent fouling. Scored 0-2, fouled for two frees, and set up a late goal chance for Robbie O’Flynn.
Shane Kingston landed two points and Robbie O’Flynn had one, but left another 1-2 behind him. Ethan Twomey got on a world of ball but hit a couple of wides under pressure. Jack O’Connor never got fully motoring.
Tommy O’Connell won the free to earn extra time while Ger Mellerick and Damien Cahalane were solid in the closing exchanges.
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