Mac's View: What a thrilling All-Ireland hurling final between Clare and Cork

I just have to start this week’s column by paying tribute to the players taking part in the All-Ireland hurling championship final on Sunday. Clare and Cork gave us a game that was out of this world. It was a pity that the referee didn’t see the tug of the jersey in the last play which would have seen the game end in a draw. It would have been great to see them go at it again.

But fair play to Clare. They came from eight points down early on and looked like the better team in the second half. Some of the scoretaking by both sets of players was nothing short of wonderful and Tony Kelly was probably the difference between the sides. The Clare captain gave an exhibition and his goal and four points will live long in the memory.

It was the first time that the All-Ireland hurling final was broadcast by the BBC across mainland Britain and it was some advertisement for the game. You would wonder how the physicality and speed would come across to them if they had to watch a Premier soccer match afterwards.

At home we had the All County League finals and congratulations to Naomh Conaill, Glenties on retaining their title. They were too strong for Gaoth Dobhair in the decider in O’Donnell Park on Saturday. They are certainly the team to beat once more, there is no doubt about that. They have such a strong squad of players and fair play to them.

Four Masters took the Division 2 title but had a little bit of luck in getting a soft goal late on. They were already promoted along with Buncrana and both squads are young and will be a big addition to the top division.

The Division 3 title went to Inishowen with Carndonagh upsetting the odds against Convoy, who had been unbeaten up to that game.

Our neighbours Aodh Ruadh were, unfortunately, relegated to Division 2. I felt that Termon might be too strong for them after their recent loss of form. I was disappointed for them and I know their result in Bundoran the previous week didn’t help. Termon are one of those coming teams and congratulations to them. They will be a test for any Division 1 team.

Commiserations also to Naomh Brid who lost out in the promotion/relegation battle with Cloughaneely. They were beaten on penalties and almost caused a shock, but they stay in Division 3 next year. Still, with a number of good young players coming through, they are well placed to make a bid for Division 3 honours in 2025.

But the only positive thing is that we will have great competition next year in Division 2 with eight teams from the south and south-west competing. As well as Bundoran and Ballyshannon, you have St Naul’s, Killybegs, Naomh Columba, Ardara, Dungloe and Naomh Muire. It will make for a very interesting year in the league with a lot of local derbies.

This weekend we have the All-Ireland football final and we can only hope that Armagh and Galway can emulate what happened in Croke Park on Sunday last at the hurling final.

I got my ticket this morning and I’m really looking forward to the game. I have a fancy for Galway to be just good enough, but I will be there cheering for the Ulster side, Armagh.

The game is an exciting prospect. Armagh have been knocking on the door for some time and they cut loose against Kerry in the final quarter in the All-Ireland semi-final. They will have to do something similar on Sunday and from the start. Hopefully, they don’t go back into their shell; they just have to go for it. Their downfall over the last few years is that they have been too cagey. They were four points up in the Ulster final against us and let it slip.

They have a great support for the team in Armagh and the colour they will bring to Croke Park will be something to see. Hopefully we will see both teams going at it hammer and tongs.

Galway will be slight favourites for the title. They are physically strong and have the experience of playing in the final a couple of years ago. Still Armagh don’t lack anything in the physical stakes themselves and they have a great bench, which they have been using to great effect in recent games.

It has all the hallmarks of being a very close final but I have just that little hunch that Galway might shade it.

I’ve just been reminded that this weekend is the 50th anniversary of the Ulster final of 1974 where we gained our second Ulster title after a replay with Down. It was a good year and the final was close with Down looking like winning the first game until we got a late equalising point.

Alan Kane was injured in training during the week after the first game and Noel McCole came in for his championship debut in the replay.  Again we were behind but Seamus Bonar hit two penalties to take us back into it and a late goal from Kieran Keeney saw us through. Those were some of the good days and there are still some great memories.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell