Cork hearts broken as Clare dash All-Ireland hopes

The sound of hearts breaking echoed across Croke Park in Dublin and also on Leeside yesterday.

Rebel fans hung their heads in disappointment at the final whistle of extra time, with Clare dashing dreams of Cork’s first senior All-Ireland final win since 2005.

It was a rollercoaster of emotions for Cork fans who travelled to Dublin for the game, with many not even taking their seats before Tim O’Mahony pucked the first score over the bar in a game that had so many talking points.

In the end, it was 3-29 to 1-34, Clare winning by a single point.

In SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh a Rebel FanZone saw the grounds awash with red and white as fans watched on big screens.

For most of the second half in the Páirc, and during extra time, fans held their hands over their eyes and over their mouths. The tension was unbearable at times, punctuated by screams and cheers as the tide of play turned over and back, again and again.

Incredible match

The crowd left the stadium dejected in the drizzle but no one could say they hadn’t seen an incredible match where both sides played their hearts out. Despite the defeat, a rapturous crowd is expected in Cork this evening for the homecoming.

The ticket scramble for the game was on from before the moment the final whistle blew when Cork and Limerick contested the semi-final — with hotels, trains, and buses booked up by the many hopeful Rebel ers.

In the capital, those lucky enough to get a ticket could be heard chanting “Oh to be a Rebel” on Jones’ Rd from the early hours of the morning.

Those not so lucky were seen holding makeshift signs in search of a golden ticket at the final hour ahead of the match.

Having travelled from Clonakilty to the Croke Park Hotel, Mark Kennedy was one such fan who had luck on his side.

Mr Kennedy secured a ticket just two hours before kick-off.

“I had been trying all week to get my hands on a ticket,” he told The Echo.

“I sent texts to lads that I probably haven’t spoken to since primary school in hope of them having a spare one.

“When I was approached here this morning by a man with a ticket for sale, I could have kissed him,” he said.

Cobh native Ellen Stafford, who has relocated to Raheny, Dublin, told The Echo: “At 9.30am, I got a knock on the door.

“A man, walking his dog, saw our Cork flag flying hanging high outside our house and offered us a ticket to the match.”

Apprehension

In the stands, apprehension was radiating from the Rebels, as Cork and Clare battled back and forth.

As Cork edged ahead point by point in the first half, spirits were high, only to be dampened as Clare returned with a vengeance in the second half.

It was a nail-biting dance back and forth, with fans left both elated and exasperated with each play of the ball.

Cork fought hard, even harder than they had against the “drive for five” reigning All-Ireland champions Limerick.

Ciarán Joyce, Robert Downey, and O’Mahony all played vital roles as Cork pucked tit-for-tat with Clare as the minutes ticked down in the second half.

The tension was palpable as Cork levelled, but Clare pulled ahead.

Cork were lucky to equalise before the final whistle sounded.

The groans around Croke Park turned into cheers that rang out as extra time began with Cork scoring first.

Just when Cork thought that their hearts couldn’t take any more, another bout of extra time was added, building hope that the Liam McCarthy would return to Leeside.

Unfortunately it wasn’t to be, as Cork came short in the second half of extra-time.

Gallant effort

A gallant effort from the Cork hurlers, but the spoils went to Clare this time around.

At SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, crowd numbers weren’t what had been expected. With an estimated 8,000 people in attendance yesterday afternoon, more than half of those who got tickets didn’t attend. However, as a family-friendly, alcohol-free community setting, it was a resounding success.

The newly-elected Labour Party councillor for Cork City South Central, Peter Horgan, said he had been the person who had originally proposed the fanzone.

Mr Horgan joked he had done it for selfish reasons, as he wanted to enjoy the match with his family in a community setting and not have to go to a pub.

“This was the vision I had when I got on to the [Cork City Council] executive at the fulltime whistle at the Limerick game — an alcohol-free, family event, something for the community in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh,” he said.

Glued to the match

Children outnumbered the adults, and most over the age of five or so were glued to the match, while the smaller smallies ran around and had fun, or were bored, or varied between the two extremes.

Before the match, young Brody Hanover from Glanmire confidently predicted that Cork would win by “a million points”.

Eight-year-old Sophie-Belle and seven-year-old Freya Darcy reckoned Cork would win, giving it a heartfelt “Up the Rebels”, and they said they have been ers for “ages”.

Kaylum Quilligan, aged 10, from Lisgoold told The Echo it was his first time ever in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, but his nana Eleanor predicted it wouldn’t be his last.