Tulla Harty Cup fairytale bodes well for Clare hurling

As last Saturday's TUS Dr Harty Cup final between St Joseph’s Tulla and Ardscoil Rís drew to a close, the Clare FM commentary team pleaded with Tipperary referee Michael Kennedy to blow the final whistle.

"Blow it ref, blow it ref, you said there was only two minutes, Mr Kennedy," urged breathless match commentator Derrick Lynch as injury-time sailed towards a third minute.

When Kennedy did sound that shrill last blow of the whistle, the Clare contingent at the Gaelic Grounds – and indeed in the commentary box – erupted.

Lynch’s co-commentator, former St Joseph’s student and ex-Clare hurler, Tommy Guilfoyle, gave a powerful summary of what he had just seen.

"I’m never lost for words," Guilfoyle said, "but just to see the heart, dedication and commitment from these young lads is unreal. They are 16, 17, 18 and it’s their confidence, belief, composure and never-say-die attitude that stands out.

"All that reflects the school, the teachers, the hurling fraternity of East Clare and indeed the modern-day hurler. We are starved of success in East Clare and every success is celebrated by us all. You only ever want an honest effort, and this team has given it in spades.

It's great to win finals but it’s even better to win a great final

"They have been through so much. Sometimes you write your own history, and no final is easily won, but they outfought and out-scrapped Ardscoil Rís.

"It’s great to win finals but it’s even better to win a great final," Guilfoyle added.

This was a ground-breaking victory shrouded in emotion for both the team and their backroom, led by Clare under-20 manager Terence Fahy, Tomas Kelly who steered Inagh-Kilnamona to the 2021 Clare final, and former Galway stalwart Aidan Harte.

On the field success had been rare,