What. A. Match.
The whistle has gone at Croke Park and the All Ireland Senior Hurling Semi-Final between Galway and Clare is already being spoken of as an instant classic.
In a match as thunderous and chaotic as the weather that greeted it, neither team could be separated even after a thrilling period of extra time, with the final score of Clare 1-30 to Galway 1-30 confirming a replay next Sunday in Thurles.
There was a noticeable but brief chorus of boos as the referee blew up for full time, and while it would be cruel to pick a winner here, you can understand the need for relief.
The dying seconds were as dramatic as it gets as it appeared that Johnny Coen’s late point had done enough for Galway, only for Jason McCarthy to level it up three minutes into added time.
Following a Galway barrage in the first 20 minutes, a resurgent Clare got back into things and pushed their opponents to the absolute limit.
Man of the Match Peter Duggan looked forward to the replay, even if he did seem a touch exhausted by the experience.
“We knew it was going to be a tough semi-final, didn’t think it would go to extra time, but in fairness to every one of our lads, we showed incredible heart,” he said speaking for the RTÉ cameras after the match.
Commentating on McCarthy’s last-gasp equaliser, Duggan tried to put things into perspective.
“It might look like an easy score, but I can tell you, there’s no score out here that’s easy.”
Duggan, earlier, displayed outrageous skill of his own to score a truly exceptional point:
"A truly astonishing score" – Peter Duggan hits a spectacular point as Clare try their best to stay in the game.
Watch highlights on The Sunday Game at 9:30pm on RTE 2 tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/yjLgwIbeZ2
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 28, 2018
Henry Shefflin was among those whose jaw was on the floor as the game moved into extra time.
Unbelievable #Hurling . What a game. What scores. #peterduggan unbelievable point 👏👏👏. Anyone’s game now Ger 👏👏👏
— Henry Shefflin (@ShefflinHenry) July 28, 2018
“It’s one of those ones where if you lose it, you’re going to regret it for a very, very long time,” noted commentator Ger Canning with just minutes left on the clock.
“A gift from the gods,” was Anthony Daly’s on-point take in the RTÉ studio when all was said and done.
The online reaction was at fever pitch, too:
That match had everything except indiscipline. Two yellow cards in 100 minutes of play. A supreme advertisement for the sport. Just unreal. #gaa @GaaClare @Galway_GAA
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) July 28, 2018
The bang of damp jersey in Coppers tonight will be something savage.
👃🕺
— 📻 ED SMITH 📻 (@EdTodayFM) July 28, 2018
I am so proud of Clare. Gutsy. Hearty. Ballsy.
We’re back.
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) July 28, 2018
Christ, some game #GALvCLA
— Paul Moore (@ElChiefMoore) July 28, 2018
Jason McCarthy is the new Domhnaill O Donovan
— Niall McIntyre (@NiallMcintyre) July 28, 2018
A fair few defibrillators needed country wide after that!!! Hard to cope lads!!!!! Epic #GALvCLA
— Rory's Stories (@RorysStories) July 28, 2018
And who’s going to give revive me here beyond in SA if I get an attack of the vapours @GAAGO ha!?#GAAGO #GALvCLA pic.twitter.com/EeZVwwRmff
— Gráinne Seoige (@grainne_seoige) July 28, 2018
If you need me, I'll be in a ball of anxiety until the final whistle. An Clár Abú.#GALvCLA
— Colette Sexton (@colette_sexton) July 28, 2018
JOE CANNING IS G O D.
HE IS GIVING ME LIFE. #GALvCLA
— Yoseph Sheridan (@yosephsheridan) July 28, 2018
One for the books, in the end.
