*Cathal Malone gets away from Tim O’Mahony. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
A DRAMATIC finish saw Clare start their Munster championship with a draw at home to Cork, there were plenty spills and thrills as Eoin Brennan rates the performances of the men in saffron and blue.
1: Eibhear Quilligan
Kept Clare in the tie amidst a strong Cork first half siege with a superb save from Alan Connolly followed by a brace stop to deny Darragh Fitzgibbon cutting in along the endline. Puck-outs were an issue throughout but more because Clare didn’t have a reliable aerial ball winner than any distribution malfunctions as without a cloning machine to duplicate Peter Duggan, his loss from the half-forward line will take some adjustment.
Rating: 8
4: Conor Leen
Like the rest of the defence, especially the last line, Leen and Co. were under immense pressure to limit a rampant Cork attack that have now hit 15 goals in their last four matches. Did have a few handling errors early on but thankfully none were too costly and settled well into the contest as it developed. Had a massive second half when not only nullifying Cork’s threat but also driving out with possession at every available opportunity.
Rating: 7
17: Darragh Lohan
A late replacement for Conor Cleary and given a baptism of fire in his first championship start at full-back when having to try and handle arguably the hurler of the year so far Brian Hayes. Cork’s aerial bombardment meant an incessant barrage of deliveries and was caught for the first goal as Hayes’ physicality got him through his marker to bat to the net. Hayes would be on the end of a move for Cork’s second goal too but to his credit Lohan enjoyed a much more fruitful second half.
Rating: 6
2. Adam Hogan
Alan Connolly almost had a tattoo of Adam Hogan imprinted on him such was the close and relentless attention he received from the Feakle defender. What a championship warrior though as while he was never far from Liam Gordon’s attention, he was easily Clare’s best defender, even when the tide was very much against the home side in a lop-sided first half. For a finish, Connolly was relieved to be substituted just to get a break from the National Young layer of the Year.
Rating: 8
5. Diarmuid Ryan
Having been out through injury for the entire season so far, it was a huge boost to see Diarmuid Ryan line out in a familiar wing-back role. Unfortunately the Cratloe man’s competitive bow for 2025 lasted only 15 minutes as he pulled up with a leg injury and had to be replaced by Cian Galvin. Wasn’t on much ball anyway as Cork’s supply-line was focused on the full-forward triumvirate rather than moving through the half-forward line.
Rating: 5
6. John Conlon
Ended up as the spare man when Shane Barrett was red-carded entering the final quarter and excelled there. Had a low-key first half though but involved in a near miss at either side. Was grateful to Eibhear Quilligan for keeping out an Alan Connolly shot that stemmed from a loose clearance while also supplying Peter Duggan for his late chance that Patrick Collins would save. Did have a large hand in David Reid’s goal and also won a free that Tony Kelly converted.
Rating: 6
7: David McInerney
Another to be facing his own goal for a large chunk of the opening half as Cork repeatedly went in search of goals. Did weather the storm though and was one of the leaders of the second half revival. Evan had a a late chance to put Clare in front and when David Reidy did inch the hosts ahead, McInerney fielded the resulting puck-out but when surrounded by a horde of Rebels, was conscious of being pulled for overcarrying and got rid of possession for Cork’s final leveller.
Rating: 6
9. Cathal Malone
Easily Clare’s best player as was especially prominent when the tide was very much against the Banner in the opening period. Was with tireless and inspirational throughout to disrupt Cork’s flow and get Clare on the front-foot. Did have a wide but would make amends with a superb late point in which he started and finished the move himself as well as teeing up Kelly for the leveller. In addition, earned a free for Aidan McCarthy to convert in what was his best display of 2025.
Rating: 9
13: Ryan Taylor
Tried hard and got on a lot of ball but wasn’t his usual confident self as he hesitated in driving runs and was dispossessed too many times. Did earn two frees, one of which was converted by Tony Kelly in that rousing final rally. Not an easy position to play in though against a Cork side that tend to flood the middle but much more in him and having scored the winner against Waterford six years ago in Clare’s last trip to Walsh Park, supporters need to see that spark on Sunday.
Rating: 5
10: Tony Kelly
A typically hectic performance from the captain who scored two first half points, took on the responsibility of long range frees for a further brace; delivered the ball for David Reidy’s goal, had a shot expertly blocked himself by Sean O’Donoghue and would inevitably regained full parity for Clare with a 74th minute strike that almost saw the roof come off the stand such was the elation from the home support.
Rating: 7
15: David Reidy
Involved in three pivotal moments in the second half as his run was perfectly timed to feed off Peter Duggan’s flick for a 41st minute goal before being taken out by Shane Barrett who would be duly dismissed at the turn of the final quarter. Finally returned the favour for Duggan to score his own goal and rejuvenate the Banner backlash late on. Scored two late frees himself having previously won a brace converted by Aidan McCarthy.
Rating: 8
8: David Fitzgerald
Showed exactly why he has been awarded back-to-back All-Stars with a superb take from a puck-out to race through and raid for a point before the break. But there wasn’t anywhere near enough of that Fitzy swagger in what was a subdued performance. Did have a hand in Clare’s first goal immediately after the break involving Mark Rodgers and Aidan McCarthy but there’s much more in him especially in the absence of Duggan from the half-forward line.
Rating: 6
11. Mark Rodgers
Worked very hard without getting any direct reward on the scoreboard, from play at least as he did initially take over the frees from Aidan McCarthy when he was substituted. Scored a brace while earning two more that the Inagh-Kilnamona man arrived over but his most telling contribution was to spark the second half revival with a superb pass to McCarthy to bat to the net in the opening minute for a much-needed catalyst goal.
Rating: 6
12. Peter Duggan
Having tormented Eoin Downey in his brief National League cameo only six weeks earlier, Duggan inevitably took up a full-forward berth once more to completely dominate the skies and be a hugely influential central cog in Clare’s fightback. Was unlucky to see a first half goal chance saved by Patrick Collins but was excellent for Reid’s goal and managed to score one himself late on to ensure that all the late momentum was behind the home side in a grandstand finish
Rating: 8
14. Aidan McCarthy
Was central to Clare’s attack throughout, ending up as Clare’s top-scorer with 1-7, 1-1 of which stemmed from play either side of the break. Scored Clare’s last point of the half before being on the end of a Mark Rodgers handless to bat to the net and ignite the comeback trail. Also had a controversial free waved wide in the opening half that looked to have crept in at the left post but in the absence of Hawkeye, it was ruled out. Replaced entering the final quarter for Ian Galvin.
Rating: 7
Subs:
18: Cian Galvin
Not easy to come into such an intense encounter midway through the opening half, particularly as Cork were pummelling Clare’s last line in search of goals. Seamus Harnedy did score a point but never really influenced the tie and would be the first forward to be called ashore. Galvin’s superb low distribution also set up a crucial injury-time point for namesake Ian.
Rating: 7
24: Ian Galvin
It may have taken almost five months but Ian Galvin’s first appearance of 2025 was well worth the wait as the razor sharp Clonlara livewire raided for two points and also won a free that would be unfortunately missed by Mark Rodgers.
Rating: 7
21: Aron Shanagher
Only plucked from the bench in the 67th minute but still packed a lot into his ten minute cameo as joined Peter Duggan in a dynamic target duo in the inside lane to cause consternation in the Rebel rearguard. Won two pivotal frees converted by David Reidy
Rating: 7
