Clare won by 1-13 t 2–8. It was their first All-Ireland title since 1914, as the curse of Biddy Earley was finally broken. 1996 — Limerick heartbreak as Wexford return In 1996 the hurling revolution continued. Limerick reached their second All-Ireland final in three years, while Wexford booked their place in the championship decider after a nineteen-year absence. A goal by Tom Dempsey in the opening half gave Wexford a deserved 1–8 to 0–10 lead at the interval; however, they had been reduced to fourteen men after the sending-off of Éamonn Scallan. The second-half saw their four-point lead being whittled down to just two points; however, fourteen-man Wexford clung on to win by 1–13 to 0-14. 1997 — Clare's second in three years The 1997 championship saw the biggest-ever change to the format of the competition. The introduction of the ‘back-door system’ afforded the defeated Munster and Leinster finalists a second chance to challenge for the All-Ireland title. The new format worked well in the inaugural year, as the All-Ireland final was a repeat of the Munster final. For the first time ever the final was contested by two teams from the same province as Clare and Tipperary faced each other for the second time that year. Clare had the upper-hand for much of the game; however, Tipp remained close behind. Liam Cahill and Eugene O'Neill scored two goals for Tipp in the last ten minutes to set up a grandstand finish. A draw looked likely; however, a classic late point from Jamesie O'Connor secured a narrow 0–20 to 2–13 victory for Clare. 1998 — Offaly: the first back door champions In 1998 Clare were again the favourites to take a third All-Ireland title in four years after securing the Munster title. Their next game was an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Offaly. The Offaly team had been defeated in the Leinster final, resulting in the players revolting against manager Michael 'Babs' Keating. Clare were the red-hot favourites; however, it took a late equalizer by Jamesie O'Connor to secure a draw. The replay was a bizarre affair. With two minutes left to play Clare were 1–16 to 2-10 ahead and looked destined for victory; however, referee Jimmy Cooney blew the full-time whistle. The Offaly supporters launched a sit-down protest on the pitch at Croke Park and a second replay was granted. By this stage Clare were exhausted and lost the game