*Clare players stand for the national anthem in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Cíosóg. Photograph: Ruth Griffin.
THERE’s been plenty of discussion following the Rebels’ fifteen point rout of Clare senior’s hurlers on Sunday, Eoin Brennan examines the Banner’s display with the latest player ratings.
1: Eibhear Quilligan
While six goals flew past him, Quilligan could do precious little about all but the last which he tried to scoop clear off the line but failed to prevent Darragh Lohan’s unintentional touch from falling agonisingly over the line. Had more issues with restarts though as while his short options were curtailed for the first two-thirds of the tie, the long options didn’t prove too successful either as Clare only secured just over half of their 40 puck-outs.
Rating: 6
3: Conor Cleary
A first appearance since last July’s All-ireland Final against the same opposition but while he successfully nullified Brian Hayes on that occasion, it would be a totally different story on Sunday as the defender was given a baptism of fire. Won’t be thanking his half-back unit for a lack of cover but ended up chasing Hayes in vein for the second and third goals and eventually moved to wing-back before being withdrawn. More minutes clearly required to blow off the cobwebs.
Rating: 5
2. Adam Hogan
Had a great battle with Patrick Horgan once more, even getting booked together for an altercation just before half-time. Indeed, the all-time hurling top scorer failed to raid for even a point from play which is a testament to Hogan who had to fight a lot of fires in an overworked and under-protected last line. In hindsight, may have done better to stop Shane Barrett for the opening goal but one of the few to stand up to the physical Rebel assault.
Rating: 6
4: Conor Leen
Another to suffer by the lack of cover to the full-back line as Cork drew their half-forward line out to make space for Hayes, Horgan and Dalton to prosper. Embroiled in a tough bruising battle with the latter, Leen had to cover and sweep as much as mark which was an arduous task. Was caught for a goal but couldn’t really be faulted for Dalton’s last two points as by that stage Leen was carrying an injury and Clare were out of subs.
Rating: 6
6. John Conlon
It never works out too well when Conlon is switched out of centre-back as his innate sweeping abilities and ability to cover that defensive anchor role make him invaluable. However, with Clare intent on man-marking Darragh Fitzgibbon, his centre-forward positioning meant that his shadower Cathal Malone went to six, leaving Conlon to try and contend with the pacy Shane Barrett on the wing. Did fine but a huge loss from the centre that was largely left open.
Rating: 5
22: David McInerney
Great to see him back in the starting line-up following a hamstring injury suffered against Kilkenny in the opening round. Unfortunately, the Tulla man only lasted a half on this occasion as well as he made way for Peter Duggan at half-time. Hopefully, it’s only a niggle as Clare simply cannot afford to be without his distribution and physical presence in the half-back line, having been responsible for setting up two first half points on Sunday.
Rating: 6
8. Cathal Malone
Has now played in four different positions in five matches which highlights his importance and versatility but surely can’t help Malone’s own game. Indeed, it mirrored this tie alone as just as in the All-Ireland decider, the Sixmilebridge player ended up effectively sacrificing his own game to curb Darragh Fitzgibbon which he did to great effect. In light of the disruption to the entire back-line and midfield, it seemed rather a pyrrhic tactic overall though which was no fault of Malones.
Rating: 6
7: Darragh Lohan
Must have almost had a nosebleed when finding himself so far from goal during the first half. Of course, he has played at midfield for Clare before but having been posted at full-back in the previous four ties, the man-marking duties of Conor Cleary and Cathal Malone catapulted his firmly into the middle third. The tie did rather pass him by a bit there though as aside from a yellow card, wasn’t on enough ball to influence. Went back into defence late in first half.
Rating: 5
9: Ryan Taylor
Again mixed the good and not so good in giving away frees but making up for it with a superb second half point that could have even been a goal with a bit more menace. It wasn’t easy to operate in perhaps the most claustrophobic middle third of the league so far after Cork drew their half-forward line into midfield. It made things very heated, physical and full of rooks which isn’t the type of environment that the Clooney/Quin man invariably thrives in.
Rating: 5
10. David Fitzgerald
Booked in the opening minutes and red-carded in injury-time, Cork clearly felt that they could push Fitzgerald’s buttons and unfortunately it worked as Cormac O’Brien’s persistent badgering ended up seeing the Inagh/Kilnamona man ill-advisedly take the law into this own hands. Wasn’t enjoying his best afternoon anyway as a single point and two assists were matched by giving away frees and not being his usual puck-out threat.
Rating: 5
15: Tony Kelly
Scored a point in each half and won a free that Aidan McCarthy converted but also fired two wides that he would have expected to score given the high standards that he has set, especially in the Park. That said, the five-time All-Star increasingly thrived as the tie developed and became more open and loose. Tried to spark Clare into life throughout but was ploughing a rather lone furrow against the grain of such Cork dominance in almost every sector.
Rating: 6
12. Seán Rynne
Given his relative inexperience at this level, the Inagh/Kilnamona forward did quite well in the opening period to stem the Rebel tide with some inspirational scores. Had an outstanding start to the second quarter, first winning a free for McCarthy to arrow over before picking off two excellent points from the wing. Also did well to not react to Tommy O’Connell’s incessant provocation but wasn’t as influential after that and would be replaced at the end of the third quarter.
Rating: 6
11. Jack O’Neill
Having excelled at centre-forward against Limerick, newcomer O’Neill initially struggled to find his feet in a more roaming role and frustratingly gave away three early frees. Stormed into the contest when coming deeper before and after half-time and was one of the few brighter sparks in the second and third quarters, even picking off a point before being Peter Duggan’s main supplier. Eventually withdrawn in the final quarter.
Rating: 6
13. Aidan McCarthy
Was almost unerring from placed balls, racking up a whooping twelve points from a wide variety of angles and lengths. He also won two of those frees himself, subsequently teed up Shane Meehan for a late single and was Clare’s most effective targetman from a very limited supply until Peter Duggan’s half-time introduction. Needed more space to thrive though and was equally as effective when roving deeper for possession in the second period.
Rating: 7
14. Mark Rodgers
Predominantly left on the periphery of the game as had to feed on scraps in the opening period but did enjoy some more space when going beyond his full-forward remit on the turnover. Largely crowded out in the first half, he arguably should have been awarded a free or two but did score a point entering the final quarter, set up Aron Shanagher for another and should have doubled his bounty only to leave a late shot agonisingly short. Taken off late on for Shane Meehan.
Rating: 5
Subs:
24: Rory Hayes
Had a brief first half cameo but did inject some much-needed energy into the hosts upon his real introduction just after half-time as proved a short puck-out magnet and also had Clare’s only shot at goal in the game that had to be tipped away by goalkeeper Saunderson.
Rating: 6
17: Peter Duggan
What an explosive cameo as the towering forward came on at half-time for his first action of 2025 and quickly caused consternation in Cork’s last line, managing to earn four frees and ruffling the feathers of both Downey brothers. Extremely harshly red carded in a call that finished any already slim hopes of a Banner backlash.
Rating: 7
19: Aron Shanagher
Once Duggan was dismissed, Shanagher continued to exploit Cork’s aerial defensive deficiencies as he plucked two puck-outs, scored a point and set up Kelly for another in a very positive 25 minute spell.
Rating: 6
25: Robin Mounsey
Again impacted well after coming on in the final quarter, working up and down the left channel, having a hand in Rory Hayes’ goal sighting and even scoring himself.
Rating: 5
18: Shane Meehan
Only got eight minutes in total and would have got way more were it not for the uncertainty surrounding an injury to Conor Leen that made the management wait to make their last sub. Made the most of his time with a potential half chance at goal that drifted wide as well as scoring a point.
Rating: 5
