Clare have defeated Cork in their Munster Senior Hurling Championship round robin clash at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh this afternoon, overcoming the hosts on a scoreline of 3-26 to 3-24.
Cork were the better side in the opening half of the game, and while both teams would trade scores prior to the interval, it was the home side that took a two-point lead into halftime.
They stretched that lead even further in the opening minutes of the second half, with a cheeky goal from Patrick Horgan putting some daylight between the sides.
Patrick Horgan you cheeky devil 🤤pic.twitter.com/AOeVlF6b74
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) April 28, 2024
Clare would respond brilliantly, with Mark Rodgers scoring his side's first goal a few minutes later.
The turning point in the game came just after the 50 minute mark.
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Cork red card the turning point in loss to Clare
Clare looked to be in for a goal when Mark Rodgers streaked through towards the Cork nets, only for Seán O'Donoghue to pull off a heroic block.
However, the Cork captain would then produce a needless hit off the ball on Shane O'Donnell as the play continued. With the corner back having booked earlier in the game, he would be given his marching orders by referee James Owens.
Second yellow for Seán O’Donoghue! pic.twitter.com/FAXapfUvNO
— Michael Verney (@mlverney) April 28, 2024
To make matters worse, O'Donnell would go on to score Clare's second goal of the game a few moments later.
From this point, there looked to be only one winner. When David Fitzgerald raised Clare's third green flag of the contest to extend their lead to six points, it looked to be game over.
However, Cork continued to battle on. A sensational goal from a Patrick Horgan free and another strike from Robert Downey in injury time got them within a couple of point, but Brian Lohan's men eventually ran out winners on a scoreline of 3-26 to 3-24.
While this result puts Clare right back into the mix in the Munster Championship, Cork's campaign is already looking in danger of fizzling out.
The loss against Waterford last week was a massive shock, and with games against Limerick and Tipperary to come, it could end up being a very disappointing year for the Rebel County.
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