After one of the best finals in recent memory, Clare have been crowned All-Ireland hurling champions after a thrilling 3-29 to 1-34 extra-time victory over Cork at Croke Park this afternoon.
It was an incredible game, one that was in the balance right until the very last play of the game. That was a credit to both teams involved, who put together two awesome performances.
In the end, it seemed harsh that either team had to lose on the day.
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RTÉ Pundits Had Strong Take On Use Of Extra-Time In Hurling Final
Seeing an All-Ireland hurling final sent to extra-time was certainly a strange site, with replays having been the traditional method of deciding drawn games in the GAA.
Both sets of players were certainly fatigued during the additional periods, even if they did continue to play some wonderful hurling. Before extra-time had even begun, the RTÉ pundits shared their view that the game should not be decided in that manner.
Speaking after the end of normal time, the trio of Liam Sheedy, Anthony Daly, and Donal Óg Cusack all agreed that a replay was the fairest outcome for all involved at the end of the 70 minutes, despite the points raised by presenter Joanne Cantwell.
Sheedy: I personally would love to see both teams heading down the tunnel, putting on their clothes, going back to the hotel, and coming back here in two weeks time. I think what they've given us over the last 70-plus minutes has been incredible, I think it's a big ask for either team...
Cantwell: I know the three of you all feel that way, but I do recall Jack McCaffrey when he stepped awyay from the Dublin footballers at one stage, he said that when a game went to a replay instead of extra-time, he found it really difficult to get ready for the replay.
Daly: That's Jack McCaffrey, that's nothing got to do with today. I'd hate this to be lost on a pure exhaustion mistake. That's one player.
Cusack: There's also the other side of that, let the young fellas go home and rest their bodies. Congratulate them on what they did for the last 70 or 80 minutes, and let us have another couple of weeks then looking forward to something like this and all that opportunity for the game.
That microwave season, if anything has to change after this year, that has to change. We've seen so many examples of the problems it is causing. This is another one here.
That makes a lot of sense.
After all both sets of players have given this year, it seems to sell them short to decide the All-Ireland hurling champions during 20 minutes of extra play after such a fierce contest.
It's fair to say that not many hurling fans would have complained about seeing another game between these two sides in a couple of weeks time.
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