Ten biggest hurling comebacks to rival Clare's epic revival against Cork

Irish Daily Mirror

21-04-2025

Twelve points behind at half-time. Still nine in arrears with as many minutes remaining. Eight down with three minutes to go.
Even though they didn't get the win in the end, Clare's comeback against Cork will go down as one of the greatest in Championship history when you consider how far they fell behind and how far they were still behind with time almost up, not to mention the quality of the opposition.
Granted, the game is different these days in that far more injury time is allowed. Six minutes were signalled but referee Liam Gordon ultimately didn't blow the final whistle until after Cork's Declan Dalton hit the equalising free in the 78th minute to bring a breathless encounter to a close.
Clare were also aided by the dismissal of Shane Barrett as Cork struggled badly to cope with the numerical disadvantage with the clock ticking towards the red.
Still, hitting 1-6 without reply in some nine minutes to turn an eight-point deficit into a one-point lead takes some doing, with Clare somewhat unfortunate not to hold out for the victory in the end.
While there are numerous examples of epic hurling comebacks down the years, we've picked out 10 of the best on the basis of the size of the margin that was successfully chased down.
So, for example, Offaly's smash and grab against Limerick in the 1994 All-Ireland final doesn't make the cut as they were only six points in arrears at worst.
Wexford v WESTMEATH, 2023 Leinster SHC group phase
As gallant as Clare's comeback on Sunday was, it's only trotting after Westmeath's heroics against Wexford at Chadwicks Wexford Park two years ago.
After 32 minutes, Wexford were well on their way to a routine victory as they led by 2-14 to 0-3 - a 17-point margin - and it wasn't much better come half-time at 2-15 to 0-5.
Westmeath started the second half with 1-4 without reply but there wasn't even a squeak of an upset with nine minutes to go as Wexford still led by 12 points. But a Niall O'Brien goal followed by a run of points and two further goals from Niall Mitchell sensationally put them in front as they kicked on to win by 4-18 to 2-22.
It left Wexford on the brink of relegation to the Joe McDonagh Cup but they managed to beat Kilkenny seven days later while Westmeath's loss to Antrim meant that they made the drop instead. Their fortunes have nosedived since.
GALWAY v Kilkenny, 2014 Leinster SHC semi-final
After hitting Galway for 1-8 without reply, Kilkenny were well on their way to the Leinster final as they led by 10 points with seven minutes to go.
But Conor Cooney struck for two goals and Joe Canning converted a penalty to draw Galway level in Tullamore.
Henry Shefflin, in what was probably his last significant contribution as a Kilkenny player, hit a superb point to restore his side's lead before Canning replied in kind to ensure a replay as it finished Galway 5-16 Kilkenny 3-22.
Kilkenny made no mistake the second time, however, winning the replay by eight points en route to Shefflin's 10th, and final, All-Ireland.
OFFALY v Kilkenny, 1985 Leinster SHC semi-final
Two Liam Fennelly goals helped Kilkenny to a 2-9 to 1-8 half-time lead, Mark Corrigan raising Offaly's green flag, but a further 1-2 on the resumption, with Christy Heffernan netting, saw the reigning Leinster champions fall nine points behind.
Moving Joachim Kelly from midfield to centre-forward proved a crucial switch as, after a Paddy Corrigan free went all the way to the net, the Lusmagh man doubled on a Pat Delaney delivery for Offaly's third goal.
The lead changed hands late on before Paddy Corrigan's free ensured a replay - 3-18 apiece.
Offaly won the replay by six points, retained the Leinster title and beat Galway in the All-Ireland final.
Kilkenny didn't lose another replay for 28 years.
TIPPERARY v Cork, 1991 Munster SHC final replay
Tippeary had rescued a draw the first day out having come from seven points down with 15 minutes to go, but they surpassed that in the replay at a rocking Semple Stadium, which has gone down as one of the greatest games ever played.
Reigning All-Ireland champions Cork led by nine points in the second half after Kevin Hennessy netted their third goal but goals from Pat Fox and captain Declan Ryan hauled Tipp back into it.
Substitute Aidan Ryan had a huge impact, culminating in his injury time goal which effectively sealed it as he blocked down Sean O'Gorman, ran on and finished past Ger Cunningham to spark a delirious pitch invasion.
Tipp won 4-19 to 4-15 in the end and went on to take the All-Ireland but it would be another 15 years before they beat Cork again in the Championship.
WEXFORD v Tipperary, 1968 All-Ireland SHC final
One of the great All-Ireland finals, which still resonates 57 years later.
Tipperary had arguably their greatest ever side in the '60s and were on course for their fifth title of the decade when leading by 10 points after 26 minutes and by 1-11 to 1-3 at half-time after playing into the wind.
Second half goals from Tony Doran and Paul Lynch helped Wexford draw level and further green flags from Doran and Jack Berry pushed them eight points clear before Tipp rallied, though late strikes from Sean McLoughlin and Michael 'Babs' Keating couldn't prevent a 5-8 to 3-12 loss.
LIMERICK v Tipperary, 1996 Munster SHC final
Helped by a goal from their current manager Liam Cahill, Tipperary held a 10-point half-time lead at the Gaelic Grounds and, though playing into the elements in the second half, looked well on course for a first Munster title in three years.
But Limerick launched a stunning fightback which was remarkable for the fact that they reeled Tipp in without scoring a goal as Frankie Carroll's late equaliser ensured a replay - 0-19 to 1-16.
Limerick won the replay by 4-7 to 0-16 to take their second provincial crown in three years.
KILKENNY v Galway, 1997 All-Ireland SHC quarter-final
Goals from Kevin Broderick, Liam Burke and Joe Cooney put Galway 10 points to the good in the first half and they led by 3-9 to 1-6 at half-time, DJ Carey with the Kilkenny goal.
In the first year of the 'back door' concept, the beaten Leinster finalists roared back in the second half with Carey putting in arguably his greatest display.
He finished with 2-8, while Michael Phelan and Ken O'Shea weighed in with goals for a 4-15 to 3-16 win.
LIMERICK v Waterford, 2001 Munster SHC semi-final
With goals from Seamus Prendergast and Paul Flynn, Waterford raced into an early 11-point lead (2-6 to 0-1), but Limerick had time on their side and made the most of it.
Ollie Moran's goal helped reduce the margin to a more manageable 2-7 to 1-4 at half-time and a pair of Brian Begley goals and another from James Butler saw Limerick to a three-point win in the end - 4-11 to 2-14.
Waterford v TIPPERARY, 2018 Munster SHC group phase
A hugely controversial outcome as Tipperary came from 11 points down with 16 minutes remaining for a 2-22 apiece draw.
Tipp had retrieved a nine-point deficit to draw with Cork seven days earlier but looked dead and buried after goals from Tom Devine and Pauric Mahony in the first half and a string of points after half-time put Waterford in firm control.
Patrick Maher responded with a goal for Tipp with 12 minutes to go and when a Jason Forde free dropped short, Austin Gleeson collected it on the line - only for an umpire to rule that he carried the ball over it. TV replays suggested otherwise, but the green flag was waved.
Forde converted a late free to ensure a draw which, ultimately, was of no use to either side as both bowed out in the first year of the Munster round robin concept.
LIMERICK v Tipperary, 2021 Munster SHC final
For all the All-Irelands that Limerick have won in the current era, perhaps this is the day that they will reflect on as their greatest in time to come.
Played on a roasting day in front of just 7,000 spectators at Pairc Ui Chaoimh due to Covid-19 restrictions, Tipperary ran up a 2-16 to 0-12 half-time lead against the All-Ireland champions.
But Limerick delivered probably their best quarter of hurling after half-time, outscoring Tipp by 1-10 to 0-1, before Kyle Hayes thundered upfield after the water break to score one of the all-time great goals.
They led by seven at one stage and eventually won by 2-29 to 3-21 en route to retaining the All-Ireland.