Clare captain Tony Kelly inspired Brian Lohan's charges to a fifth All-Ireland SHC crown in their history in a pulsating Croke Park final.
Cork's wait to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup extends into a 20th year after the Rebels saw a seven point first half lead reeled in by their Munster rivals, who won 3-29 to 1-34.
For both counties it was a first All-Ireland final appearance in 11 years, when they met in the 2013 drawn final and replay that was won by Clare.
As in the first game 11 years ago, the contest was in the balance right to the end of normal time. In 2013, Clare needed a last minute score to avoid defeat - this time it was Cork who, through Patrick Horgan's 10th point of the game, took it to extra-time.
Cork, who were reigning champions Limerick's conquerors in the semi-final, were the better team in the first quarter and Robert Downey's superb individual 12th minute goal franked a fast start by Pat Ryan's side.
But Aidan McCarthy pounced for a goal for Clare just five minutes later and the Banner grew stronger as the half progressed, to the extent that it was Cork playing catch-up as the half came to an end.
So level pegging at the break, but Clare looked the stronger side in the third quarter and Mark Rodgers' 40th minute goal was followed by the Banner's third in the 51st minute by skipper Kelly, who flicked the sliothar past two defenders before beating Patrick Collins.
This time it was Cork who had to chase and, with Horgan in unerring form, they did so very effectively, with Horgan levelling it up in the closing seconds.
The Rebels survived a double goal chance for Kelly and McCarthy and the sides remained locked together at the end of the first period of extra-time, but the Banner came strong in the second period.
Cork trailed by three points with time running out but managed to get back to within one score before Robbie O'Flynn missed with the last chance of the final, with the officials missing a tug on his jersey as he took the shot on.
Moments later it was over and Clare were champions, putting to bed the heartbreak of the last three years after lost Munster finals and All-Ireland semi-finals.
Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Conor Cleary, Conor Leen; Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, David McInerney; David Fitzgerald, Cathal Malone; Tony Kelly, Mark Rodgers, Peter Duggan; Aidan McCarthy, Shane O'Donnell, David Reidy: Subs: Cian Broderick, Rory Hayes, Paul Flanagan, Cian Galvin, Darragh Lohan, Ryan Taylor, Seadna Morey, Aaron Shanagher, Ian Galvin, Shane Meehan, Robin Mounsey.
Cork: Patrick Collins; Niall O'Leary, Eoin Downey, Seán O’Donoghue; Ciarán Joyce, Robert Downey, Mark Coleman; Tim O’Mahony, Darragh Fitzgibbon; Declan Dalton, Shane Barrett, Séamus Harnedy; Patrick Horgan, Alan Connolly, Brian Hayes: Subs: Brion Saunderson, Damien Cahalane, Ger Millerick, Tommy O’Connell, Luke Meade, Ethan Twomey, Conor Lehane, Jack O’Connor, Shane Kingston, Pádraig Power, Robbie O’Flynn.
Darragh Culhane
Tony Kelly accidental goal
By Kieran Cunningham
The key to Tony Kelly's magical goal that lit up the All-Ireland hurling final could be a genetic kink. When Kelly is in full flight, he regularly flummoxes defenders.
That was the case when he slalomed his way through the Cork defence, with his stickwork opening up the opportunity to finish to the net.
Kelly was actually born with one leg slightly shorter than the other, that might make his runs more unpredictable. In Ballyea, they tell you that he was pucking around before his second birthday.
Read the full article HERE.
Darragh Culhane
Tony Kelly's goal
Ludicrous, ludicrous moment of genius from Clare's All-Ireland winning captain, Tony Kelly#rtegaa #gaa #hurling #tonykelly #clare pic.twitter.com/W2n1VneqNV
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 21, 2024
Darragh Culhane
Tony Kelly lifts the trophy
Tony Kelly lifts the Liam MacCarthy Cup for Clare #sundaygame pic.twitter.com/u478v0FjGG
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 21, 2024
Darragh Culhane
Brian Lohan after the game
Brian Lohan tries to make sense of the 90 minutes after leading Clare to one of their greatest days #sundaygame pic.twitter.com/Gcvuavr56A
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 21, 2024
Michael Scully
Clare's golden moment
Michael Scully
Robbie O'Flynn's goal chance for Cork in extra-time
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 21, 2024Eibhear Quilligan denies Robbie O'Flynn with this magnificent save
Four minutes to find a winner....
Updates: https://t.co/6NBQ3ae85V
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Michael Scully
Tony Kelly's final
There were stand-out performers on both sides but the 2013 All-Ireland winner made a couple of crucial interventions. His wonderful sold goal, Clare's third, will be watched again and again, while that point he scored in the dramatic endgame - when he refused to give up in pursuit of the turnover before firing over the bar - underlined the heart he brings to the Banner.
Kelly went under the knife to repair an ankle injury in December and, after a patchy summer as he found his way back to his best, he got there in the All-Ireland semi-final and final wins.
And it's fitting that it is the Ballyea man who has gone up the Hogan Stand steps to take the trophy from GAA president Jarlath Burns.
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 21, 2024Tony Kelly, he is unstoppable
Updates: https://t.co/6NBQ3ae85V
Watch live @RTE2 & @RTEplayer https://t.co/AKAre5FHdN
"This Clare team has been maligned for three or four years, but today we knocked that door down," declared Kelly, after lifting the Liam MacCarthy Cup.
"In Clare, hurling is like our religion...and Brian Lohan is like our God!"
The Banner boss raises his fist in reply.
Michael Scully
Contrasting scenes
Clare erupt with joy and head towards the Hill to their ecstatic supporters while, on the other side of the pitch, Cork come to terms with losing by the narrowest of margins. The Rebels wait goes on into a 20th year after beating the game's dominant force Limerick twice this summer.
Michael Scully
So, so close....and controversy at the end?
Oh my goodness what a finale. So unfortunate for Robbie O'Flynn, whose jersey was being held by Conor Leen as he took the shot, but the game continued and Clare are All-Ireland champions for only the fifth time in their history.
Michael Scully
CLARE WIN
The Banner roar as the referee blows the final whistle
Michael Scully
Cork chance wide
Robbie O'flynn has a chance to score but misses
Michael Scully
Cork free out
Here we go, it's now or never for the Rebels as they have a free out to be taken by Patrick Collins
Michael Scully
Two minutes additional time
Two minutes announced, there's 30 seconds of it left as Horgan fires over a free to make it a one point game!
Michael Scully
Cork point
Patrick Horgan from distance makes it a two point game
Michael Scully
Cork need a goal
Not long left now, Cork must reply but Clare clear their lines. Clare defending like their lives depending on it
Michael Scully
Banner roar
Massive score by Shane Meehan as Clare win possession back in their half-back line and the sub scores. Three points in it now, into the last minute
Michael Scully
Another Clare chance
This time Aron Shanagher takes aim but can't find the target between the posts. 80 seconds remain, Clare lead by two points.
Michael Scully
Banner fire
Aidan McCarthy gives his side a two-point lead with 2 minutes remaining
Michael Scully
Tony Kelly!
Absolutely brilliant by the Clare marksman, showed the heart of a lion to win the ball and then fire over for the lead.
Michael Scully
Cork goal chance
Cork's Robbie O'Flynn goes for glory with a well-hit shot but Eibhear Quilligan is equal to it in the Clare goal. There was an easy point for the taking there....
Seadna Morey is on for Cathal Malone for Clare.
Three and a half minutes remaining and we're still level.
Michael Scully
Cork wide
Every shot counts now and Ethan Twomey is just wide from out the field.
Luke Meade is on for the Rebels, with the exhausted Tim O'Mahony making way.
Michael Scully
Level again
Some off the ball messing is quickly dismissed by the referee and Aidan McCarthy converts the free. The sides are locked on 3-26 to 1-32.
Referee Johnny Murphy comes back to book Tony Kelly and Ger Mellerick.
Michael Scully
Clare chance
It was a marathon, now it's a sprint to the finish. Ryan Taylor does really well to hold onto possession and Aidan McCarthy takes off and can't shrug off Tommy O'Connell's attentions, but a foul is called and a chance for Clare to reply.
Michael Scully
On we go
A big roar from the Rebels as Robbie O'Flynn scores a great point from the right flank. Cork lead
Michael Scully
10 to go
Clare sub Shane Meehan fouls by Ciarán Joyce and Patrick Horgan tries his luck from half-way and under the Cusack, his shot drifts wide and we're still no closer to knowing who will lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup at the end of the first period of extra-time.
Michael Scully
King Kelly
Tony Kelly has enjoyed some great moments in this game, and here's another....Wonderful score just inside the far upright from way out. The sides are locked together once more.
Michael Scully
O'Donnell goes off
Having soldiered on for as long as possible, Shane O'Donnell has to come off for Clare
Michael Scully
One apiece
Tony Kelly levels it up after a clever one-two, but Ciaran Joyce replies for Cork to push them ahead again. Séamus Harnedy and skipper Séan O'Donoghue are the latest to make way for the Rebels as both teams tire. We're into the last minute of the first period.
Michael Scully
Clare goal chance
Tony Kelly sprints down the left, his shot is saved by Patrick Collins and falls to Ian Galvin, whose shot smacks off Ciarán Joyce and rebounds to safety. Big moment.
G
Michael Scully
Kingston's town
The sub has been very busy from the start of extra-time and scores again to give Cork the lead!