Galway and Clare produced a riveting affair in Croke Park today as not even extra-time could separate the pair. A last-gasp Jason McCarthy point proved crucial as the sides are set for Thurles next Sunday to do it all again.
This was Clare's first time in Croke Park since 2013 and it showed. A sluggish start saw Galway established an early eight-point lead but slowly Clare fought back and trailed by four at half-time.
Then the mind-games started. The situation facing Clare was eerily similar to the Munster Final when they led Cork by eight midway through the first half. By half-time, the lead was just four. For the second half, Clare were made to wait for several minutes while Cork reflected on matters in their dressing room and ultimately Cork went on to win the game.
Donal Moloney and Gerry O'Connor learned their lesson from that day and today they forced Galway to linger. While Micheál Donoghue's men waited on the field, Clare took their time and emerged some five minutes later.
In the end, extra-time was required and according to RTE Sport's Michael Lyster, Galway decided to do similar to Clare. Lyster reported that Galway would not emerge until Clare had left their dressing room. Ultimately referee James Owens went back down the tunnel and told both teams to come out.
The Gaelic Athletic Association's official guide states that the half-time interval should consist of 15 minutes, and a county team is fined €80 for every minute that they exceed that interval.
