The 1993 Leinster final wexford v Kilkenny was up there too I saw it later on all Ireland gold, great atmosphere, great scores and physicality, and lots of skills that you don't see anymore, like ground hurling, first-time pulls (and shoulders that don't get blown!)

flack (Dublin) - Posts: 1054 - 30/09/2013 14:58:40    1492062

Was privileged to be there with my son last Saturday what a fantastic game! Without a doubt one of the most entertaining finals I ever attended credit to both teams. If you were to be picky though you would have to accept that Tipp/ KK in 09 & 2010 were higher in quality more intense and tougher.

Barnowl94 (Galway) - Posts: 3150 - 30/09/2013 15:32:07    1492091

2005 All Ireland Hurling Semi-final: Galway 5-18 Kilkenny 4-18!

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 30/09/2013 17:10:38    1492194

As someone said it was a privilege to be there... looking back now- a privilege to be there for both games this year.
The intensity, speed, tackling, first touch, and yes - defending at times was superb. Over the game the intense electricity was palpable among the entire crowd.
For me it was a fantastic final and t0 have a replay surpassing an excellent first game is evidence enough to warrant this game as being one of the greatest of all time. That should suffice.
Clare will be very happy to have ben part of this classic. They are a proud hurling county and will relish the thought of their game being up there with the best of them.
If 2014 is anything like this one - - - really something to savour!
It will shorten the winter!!!

carlowman (Carlow) - Posts: 1877 - 30/09/2013 17:52:17    1492254

I wouldn't be the biggest hurling fan but for me the game of the championship was Corks victory over Dublin. As a Dub it was terrible for the true Dublin hurling gaels to come out of that game at the wrong end of the result but it was an absolutely unreal game... end to end, Unreal scores and pace to the game. Class

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13654 - 30/09/2013 18:02:24    1492264

1990 Cork v Galway was some game!

MARNELL (Westmeath) - Posts: 728 - 30/09/2013 18:22:40    1492291

From the first minute of the first game to the final minute of the second game this years All-Ireland final was the best I have ever seen. A privilege to have been there for both of them

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6180 - 30/09/2013 18:29:26    1492301

I thought the Cork backs were terrible in the first half. Very jittery and culpable for all 3 goals even though they were finished very well. They obviously benefitted from the half time break as they were outstanding in the 2nd half. For me Conor McGraths goal was the killer score a lot of lads would have taken their point on that position but credit McGrath he was brave and scored one of the greatest goals ever in an All Ireland final which was Clare took advantage of with 3 points to go 6 clear.
Again I say it was a tremendous game but it didn't have the savage intensity of those Tipp / KK finals in 09 & 10.

Barnowl94 (Galway) - Posts: 3150 - 30/09/2013 20:41:47    1492430

I would agree with all Barnow194's points.

Especially Conor McGrath - it's Shane O'Donnell getting all the headlines but McGrath's performance was as good as anything I've ever seen from a Clare forward in all my life - tackled like a man posessed (legitimately without fouling),showed sublime skill and first touch, devastating speed and most of all lethal finishing. His goal was what ultimately won us the all ireland. Showed courage to go for the juggular when he could have just tapped it over. I've been a big critic of him for years because he's often too casual/lackadaisical but when he's in the mood he's top class.

banner_boy (Clare) - Posts: 1285 - 30/09/2013 21:19:47    1492470

The 2013 final was not as good a game as the 2010 final. That's just my opinion.

But I do think it was a very different game. 2010 was more aggressive, every ball won was done with a lot of physical might. The 2013 final was different, less big hits, more about finding that extra little bit of space to get the scores and less long balls delivered into the inside forwards.

This is purely personal opinion, but I still love to see scores like Lar Corbett's first goal in the 2010 final. That said, the standard of score taking from both Clare & Cork in the 2013 final was sensational. Clare's 4th goal was simply awesome, the way McGrath used Shane O'Neill to stop Nash from seeing the ball.

A different type of game, but very enjoyable and makes me proud to be Irish.

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6480 - 01/10/2013 10:34:00    1492592

Agree with slayer and Barnowl94, but my take on Conor McGrath's goal was that a lot of players would throw the ball to the man at the edge of the square a la DJ Carey to Jimmy Coogan in a similar situation circa 2002-2003. It took great guts to go for the jugular from there and fair play to him.
banner_boy, congratulations and hope you enjoyed the celebrations!

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 01/10/2013 11:49:07    1492654

For me.....it was the greatest All-Ireland (Hurling or Football)l Contest I have ever seen, or I am ever likely to see. If you take into account we had 2 thrilling matches with blow for blow, punch for punch for 140 minutes. Fantastic skill levels. I think even the lights being on at the end added greatly to the atmosphere.

I think what will stay with me as much as anything is Cork's unwillingness to be beaten - even to the bitter and ultimately fruitless end.

In 20 years time, what final people remember the most from the recent, I would safely say Clare vs Cork 2013. Nothing less than magnificent.

Solo_Run (Leitrim) - Posts: 219 - 01/10/2013 13:46:47    1492764

Good points solo_run, I think I'd agree with everything you said, on reflection

flack (Dublin) - Posts: 1054 - 01/10/2013 15:21:07    1492831

its up there with the best.the 95 leinster final was a fab match for skill and speed and score taking..

kavvie (Clare) - Posts: 505 - 01/10/2013 16:18:25    1492882