*Photograph by Martin Connolly

Clare have won the McGrath Cup for the first time since 2008.

Clare 1-09
Cork 0-09
Venue: Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay

Playing in his home field, it was Miltown’s Gordon Kelly that kicked the all-important goal as Clare claimed the spoils against Cork on Saturday afternoon to secure the McGrath Cup for the thirteenth time.

Cork took the lead via Cian Kiely but Clare replied with Kelly’s goal and a Cathal O’Connor effort. They remained in front and boasted a 1-03 0-03 half-time advantage.  The break saw the introduction of Keelan Sexton who kicked four points for the Banner.

Five consecutive Rebel points from Mark Collins, Damien Gore and Eoghan McSweeney had the sides level with fifty minutes on the clock. Colm Collins’ charges settled and finished out the game with the final three scores, Sexton added two while wing-back Dean Ryan registered on the scoreboard.

Clare have now won the McGrath Cup more times than other county. Their success comes two weeks ahead of a home tie versus Donegal which kickstarts their National Football League campaign.

Teams
Clare:
Eamonn Tubridy (Doonbeg)

Kevin Harnett (Meelick)
Cillian Brennan (Clondegad)
Gordon Kelly (St Joseph’s Miltown) (1-00)

Dean Ryan (Éire Óg) (0-01)
Aaron Fitzgerald (Éire Óg)
Eoghan Collins (Ballyhaunis)

Darragh Bohannon (Shannon Gaels)
Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen) (0-02 2f)

Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora)
David O’Halloran (Éire Óg)
Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)

Gavin Cooney (Eire Óg)
Gary Brennan (Clondegad) (0-02)
Kieran Malone (St Joseph’s Miltown)

Subs: Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane) (0-04 3f) for Cooney (HT), Sean O’Donoghue (Cooraclare) for O’Halloran (HT), Sean Collins (Cratloe) for Coughlan (46), Gearoid O’Brien (Kilrush Shamrocks) for Malone (55), David Tubridy (Doonbeg) for Cooney (55)

Cork:
Chris Kelly (Eire Óg)

Sam Ryan (St Finbarrs)
Peter Murphy (Bandon)
Aidan Browne (Newmarket)

Liam O’Donovan (Clonakilty)
Tom Clancy (Clonakilty)
Steven Cronin (Nemo Rangers)

James Fitzpatrick (Carbery Rangers)
Ronan O’Toole (Eire Óg)

John O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers)
Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree) (0-01)
Cian Kiely (Ballincollig)

Mark Collins (Castlehaven) (0-03 2f)
Peter Kelleher (Kilmichael) (0-01)
Stephen Sherlock (St Finbarrs) (0-02 2f)

Subs: Damien Gore (Kilmacbea) (0-02 1f) for Sherlock (41), Nathan Walsh (Douglas) for Ryan (50), Kevin O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers) for O’Rourke (50), Tadgh Corkery (Cill na Martra) for Kiely (60), Blake Murphy (Vincents) for Cronin (63)

Referee: Padraig O’Sullivan (Kerry)