Clare 1995 All Ireland Hurling Champions

“There’s been a missing person in Clare for 81 long years. Well today that person has been found alive — and that person’s name is Liam McCarthy.”

On the 3rd of September 1995, Anthony Daly led Clare to victory over Offaly, ending 81 years of heartbreak and bringing the Liam McCarthy Cup back to the Banner for the first time since 1914.

Offaly came into the final as the reigning All-Ireland champions, one of the strongest teams in the country. Clare, meanwhile, had only just captured their first Munster title in 63 years — and were still seen as underdogs.

The odds looked stacked against Clare from the start. Offaly led for most of the match, until late on, when Eamonn Taaffe pounced on a loose ball in the square and fired Clare in front with only minutes remaining.

Clare held firm through the closing moments — and after 81 long years, they finally got their hands on the Liam McCarthy Cup.