While yesterday's All-Ireland hurling final was a heartbreaking occasion for Cork, it was obvious what the result meant to the people of Clare.
There is a long tradition of hurling in Clare, although they have not necessarily always been the most successful side at the highest level. Prior to yesterday, they had won just four Liam MacCarthys, all but one of which came from the 1990s onwards. They now have a fifth to add to that tally.
There was quite the outpouring of emotion after the final whistle. Brian Lohan's side have felt they were close to winning an All-Ireland for the last number of years, often being billed as the biggest challengers to Limerick. However, they could never quite get over the line.
The manner in which they did so in this game would have been of huge relief to their supporters.
READ HERE: British Viewers Blown Away After All-Ireland Hurling Final Makes BBC Debut
TV Cameras Missed Extent Of Anthony Daly's Reaction To Clare Win
Few people love Clare more than Anthony Daly, with the Clarecastle man as passionate of a hurling man as you are ever likely to meet.
Writing in the Irish Examiner, he recalled how he met the final whistle in yesterday's game with an outpouring of emotion. Thankfully, he was given time to steady himself before appearing on camera.
I was just thankful that the cameras were focussed on the players celebrating on the pitch, on the ecstatic hordes of Clare supporters going bananas around Croke Park. Because the tears were rolling down my cheeks, live on TV...
I was just lucky that by the time the cameras focused back in the studio, Liam Sheedy and Donal Óg Cusack had already spoken by then and I’d had a chance to compose myself.
You can read the article in full here.
You could certainly hear the emotion in Anthony Daly's voice after the final whistle.
An emotional Anthony Daly reacts to the Clare win
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Dalo did not have too long to reflect on the victory, having to pick himself up ahead of appearing on last night's broadcast of The Sunday Game. In saying that, you got the sense that he enjoyed the opportunity to speak further about such a big occasion for his county.
Of course, he was far from only Banner fan who had an outpouring of emotion at the end of the game.
Even those on the other side of the Atlantic, including Clare football Eoin Cleary and twin brother of hurler Conor, were overcome with the emotion of the occasion.
Unbelievably emotional here in Chicago but so happy for all the Clare lads especially the legend that is @cleary_conor 🙌 some warrior💪💪💛💙 #Upthebanner pic.twitter.com/KppppNJ1g8
— Eoin Cleary (@Smiley_014_) July 21, 2024
Considering how the match had played out, that reaction was more than justified.
Clare will rightly celebrate this All-Ireland success over the coming days, with the county not getting to bask in the glory occasions such as this all that often. They are certainly deserving of that honour.
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