Clare and Munster rival Cork couldn't be separated in normal time, and extra time included even more drama. The two sides were level 14 times, and it looked like the game was heading for a replay, but Cork's Robbie O’Flynn missed the target with seconds to go. In the end, Clare held out and won by a score of 3-29 to 1-34 on a hostile Sunday.
Clare's fifth All-Ireland crown will be the talk of the town in the county today, but there was another interesting aspect at play on the day. The BBC in the UK decided to air the game, and it left thousands of British viewers amazed and confused by what they were watching.
Many had never heard of or seen the sport of hurling before, but judging by the online reactions of many, they were very impressed by the skills and determination on display at Croke Park.
"Hurling appears to be a mix of UFC, rugby, hockey, football, baseball, the egg and spoon race—all whilst hitting a snooker ball as hard as you can, as high into the sky as possible towards the goal with what looks like the bones of a Tomahawk steak. 10/10. I would recommend," said one X user.
"Never really seen hurling before, but just watched the #AllIrelandhurlingfinal on BBC2. It was a totally bonkers game, and the level of skill and effort involved was unbelievable. To top it all off, it’s played by amateurs who will go back to work in the morning. I loved it!" said another.
"I'm watching the All-Ireland Hurling Final for the first time ever, and it's the most exciting sports event I have ever seen. It was super exciting, full of bits of minor violence, and not one person was rolling on the floor with a fake injury. Even the referee got blood drawn!claimed another British man.
"I’ve reached the grand old age of 60, and I’m watching my first ever game of hurling (the All-Ireland final). Why has this game not been in my life before? Absolutely fantastic."
It's fair to say Clare and Cork put on a game for the ages, and it's highly likely it won't be the last epic hurling encounter we see.
