In 2012, Davy Fitzgerald began his tenure as Clare manager. At the time Clare had fallen down the game's pecking order, having not won a championship match since 2008 and they were also in the second tier of the Hurling League. Clare won Division 1B of the league to gain promotion for the following year. In the Munster Championship, Clare lost to Waterford by 2–17 to 1–18. Clare then faced Dublin in a Qualifier. In what was Tony Kelly's first senior game for the county, he scored 1–2 to help Clare win by 1–16 to 0–16. In the next round Limerick beat Clare by 3–18 to 1–20. In 2013, Clare won their Munster Quarter-Final against Waterford by 2-20 to 1-15, outscoring them by 2–12 to 0–6 in the second half. This was Clare's first win in Munster since 2008. In the semi-final, Clare lost to Cork by 0–23 to 0–15. Clare then beat Laois and Wexford in the qualifiers. This put Clare in the All-Ireland quarter-final where they beat Galway by 1–23 to 2–14. Munster Champions Limerick awaited Clare in the semi-final. An early Darach Honan goal helped Clare win out by 1–22 to 0–18 and qualify for their first final since 2002. The All-Ireland final was held on 8 September and Clare were leading at half time. In the second half Cork scored three goals to get back into the game. With the sides level, Patrick Horgan scored to put Cork in the lead. Moments later, in injury-time, Domhnall O'Donovan pointed to send the game to a replay. Full-time score: 3–16 to 0–25. On 28 September 2013, Clare won the replay by 5–16 to 3–16. Shane O'Donnell scored 3–3 to help Clare to victory. A Conor McGrath goal in the 61st minute was quickly followed by three points to put Clare 4–16 to 2–16 ahead. A late Stephen Moylan goal was cancelled out by a Darach Honan goal to see Clare win by 5–16 to 3–16. Clare's centre-forward, Tony Kelly, was awarded the Young Hurler of the Year and Hurler of the Year awards.