By Cian O'Connell
Throughout a deeply uncertain year Anthony Daly's splendid Irish Examiner hurling podcast supplied humour and hope.
In a recent episode discussing the 1995 All Ireland SHC Final, Daly remarked that once Clare conquered Munster they hit Croke Park with freedom.
On a baking hot August afternoon Galway were defeated in the penultimate round.
Then came a decider with holders Offaly, and Ger Loughnane had the Banner pumped once more.
It was a tight and tense game, but once Eamonn Taffe pinched a goal Clare were on the road to victory.
Released from Munster, Clare had the grit and guile to deliver at GAA headquarters. The Banner roared.
Anthony Daly captained Clare to All Ireland SHC glory in 1995.
CLARE 1-13 OFFALY 2-8
Scorers for Clare: Fergie Tuohy 0-4, Eamonn Taaffe 1-0, Seanie McMahon 0-3, Jamesie O'Connor 0-2, Fergal Hegarty 0-1, Ger O'Loughlin 0-1, Ollie Baker 0-1, Anthony Daly 0-1.
Scorers for Offaly: Johnny Dooley 0-5, Johnny Pilkington 1-0, Michael Duignan 1-0, John Troy 0-1, Daithi Regan 0-1, Billy Dooley 0-1.
CLARE: Davy Fitzgerald; Michael O'Halloran, Brian Lohan, Frank Lohan; Liam Doyle, Seanie McMahon, Anthony Daly; Ollie Baker, Jamesie O'Connor; Fergie Tuphy, PJ O'Connell, Fergal Hegarty; Stephen McNamara, Conor Clancy, Ger O'Loughlin.
Subs: Eamonn Taaffe for McNamara, Cyril Lyons for Clancy, Alan Neville for Taaffe.
OFFALY: David Hughes; Shane McGuckin, Kevin Kinahan, Martin Hanamy; Brian Whelehan, Hubert Rigney, Kevin Martin; Johnny Pilkington, Daithi Regan; Johnny Dooley, John Troy, Michael Duignan; Billy Dooley, Pat O'Connor, Joe Dooley.
Subs: Declan Pilkington for O'Connor, Brendan Kelly for Joe Dooley.
