It was hard going but we finally got a winner… the GAA.
This was a slow-burner that threatened to boil over in the closing stages but, when the final whistle blew, Waterford and Clare drew 0-22 apiece in the Allianz Leagues Hurling final.
Conor McGrath pointed 13 for the Banner but it was left to Maurice Shanahan to convert a 70-metre free in injury time of extra time as all of Semple Stadium clung to the edge of their seats.
Waterford somehow contrived to hit 12 wides in a turgid first half and went in 0-7 to 0-6 behind.
Highlight of the half was the grim spectacle of Banner boss Davy Fitzgerald – fists clenched but by his side – roaring abuse at opposite number Derek McGrath when the fouls bubbled over. McGrath was hardly a shrinking violet himself in an embarrassing exchange.
Conor McGrath was upping the scoring ante for Clare after the break but the Déise were never more than three points back. Still, they were indebted to a fine Stephen O’Keefe save from a crisply struck McGrath effort.
Waterford rallied to level the scores midway through the second half before Podge Collins edged his side ahead again.
Shane Bennett had finally found his range, however, and put Waterford ahead with two minutes to play. Tony Kelly thought he had levelled it for Clare but umpires waved his effort wide. What a shame Hawkeye – the point referral system – was in-situ at Semple Stadium but not yet ready to use.
Huge controversy was avoided when McGrath pointed in injury time to send the tie to extras.
Extra time saw the reigning champions bolt out to an 0-18 to 0-15 lead after scores from Tommy Ryan, Bennett and Brian O’Halloran but the Banner were not done yet. They claimed the next three scores to leave it 0-18 to 0-18 going into the final period of play.
If the game was slow to get up to speed, extra time was a joy to watch. The second period saw quality point after quality point while O’Keefe popped up with another fine, diving save.
With three minutes to go, Colin Ryan let rip with a monster effort that sailed over and put the Banner 0-22 to 0-21 up. Maurice Shanahan answered back with a huge, huge free and we go again.
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