Modest Conor Cleary 'happy enough' with Clare full-back line

Conor Cleary's All-Ireland final ended as an anxious fan on the sideline, but the full-back played a starring role in stifling Cork's much-vaunted attack as Clare won their first title since 2013 after extra time in Croke Park on Sunday.

Cork full-forwards Brian Hayes and Alan Connolly registered 1-07 between them in the semi-final success against Limerick, but could muster only 0-03 from play against the Banner.

Cleary celebrated winning his first Liam MacCarthy Cup in a sling, with the 30-year-old forced off just before the end of normal time.

On the experience of watching the frenetic finish from the Clare bench, the Kilmaley hurler told RTÉ Sport: "It wasn't easy, with the few injections I got I don't know if I saw much of extra time but it's very hard, when you're with the group for 10 years, you're just really trying to will lads to win the game.

"It is very tough but no better men to see it through, in fairness.

"We knew coming into it the form the Cork forwards were in and we were under pressure in the first half, but we showed good character to stay in the game and worked our way into it.

"But it was very physical, Cork bring a different dynamic to it with the movement of their forwards and they all get good, quality ball in as well, so the pace that they play at and the physicality they bring is a big thing."

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Cleary's defensive duties became more challenging when he picked up a yellow card after just 22 minutes, but he adjusted quickly to the setback, and