It began with a whimper and ended with a roar. Galway looked to be cruising after 16 minutes, 1-6 to 0-1 ahead, but Clare battled back and ensured the 2018 hurling Championship was afforded yet another classic. In the end, extra-time wasn't enough and it ended as a draw.
There were several impressive performers on the field, but one man off it captured viewers attention at home. The addition of Brendan Cummins on co-commentary proved an assured decision as his insight and observations enhanced the in-game experience for RTE's audience.
@RTEgaa @RTEsport @TheSundayGame Brendan Cummins a great co commemtator. Fair and accurate in his assesment of the game #hurlinglegend
— kojak (@pauseplease) July 28, 2018
Man of the match: Brendan Cummins
— Cahair O'Kane (@CahairOKane1) July 28, 2018
Pity Galway didn't hit 12 1st half wides last Sept 🙈🙈
Also whatever people say about Cummins he's an excellent co commentator #GALvCLA #Gaa— ken hassett (@kenhassett13) July 28, 2018
Cummins is a class co com. Really get a sense of what’s happening and why Galway had initial run on Clare and how Clare then counteracted it.
— Daniel St Ledger (@DanStL89) July 28, 2018
Cummins stayed measured and was a fine partner for Ger Canning throughout. The former Tipperary player is currently involved with the Kerry senior hurlers and thus has experience both as a player and a coach. At times he ventured for unconventional contributions, such as after Seadna Morey's wide in extra-time when he exclaimed "You'd want to shake him and say 'stop man!'"
As for the match, both sides deserve immense praise for producing a magnificent game of hurling. In the end, it was left to Brendan Cummins to try and summarise it: "resilience, heart, skill. This game had it all."
