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Having misplaced successive All-Eire semi-finals to the Leinster champions, the latest swing of fortune provides Brian Lohan’s facet added confidence and momentum heading into the Munster Championship, the place they open in opposition to All-Eire holders Limerick in a fortnight in Ennis.
That doesn’t go away them a lot time to arrange for a recreation of that magnitude in opposition to a county prone to be smarting from its league defeat by Kilkenny within the semi-finals two weeks in the past, the primary knockout loss for Limerick since 2019. However Clare can really feel entitled to at the very least savour this win for a day or two earlier than turning their consideration to the following formidable problem.
They needed to stand up to a livid Kilkenny rally when a dramatic end noticed Eoin Cody’s penalty saved by Eibhear Quilligan.
He shot tamely within the 69th minute, the penalty awarded after referee Johnny Murphy black-carded Mark Rodgers for denying a goal-scoring alternative. Clare led by 4 factors on the time, boosted by a second-half objective from Aidan McCarthy, who completed with 2-10, and one other from Diarmuid Fitzgerald. They led by seven factors at one stage, however a superb objective from Cody within the sixty fifth minute minimize their result in three factors and arrange a tense end.
Again in 2016, once they final raised the trophy for the fourth time, Tony Kelly was Clare’s inspiration, supplying a superb profitable rating at Semple Stadium. An ankle operation has meant no league hurling this yr for Kelly, though he will likely be aiming to return for the championship and has been in full coaching with the squad.
Shane O’Donnell hadn’t performed any half on this yr’s league both, however he made an entrance at half-time and had a serious affect, concerned in an early objective for Fitzgerald when linking with David Reidy. McCarthy acquired their first objective late within the first half, arrange by the spectacular Rodgers.
Kilkenny misplaced skilled marksman TJ Reid, a late and surprising omission as a consequence of a hamstring damage. Twenty-year-old Galmoy hurler Billy Brennan, 16 years Reid’s junior, stepped into the void, taking over the free-taking duties, having made a late look off the bench within the semi-final.
Drennan had the best begin when putting his first free cleanly over the bar after simply 50 seconds, however the first half closed with Clare scoring 1-2 with out reply.
The objective was their solely time to shine when Rodgers discovered uncommon house within the Kilkenny half, made floor and performed in McCarthy to his left, who cracked the ball to the online previous Eoin Murphy on the close to put up facet.
Having trailed 0-6 to 0-9 shortly earlier than and regarded uninventive, making little headway in a closely trafficked Kilkenny backline, Clare all of the sudden discovered a second to encourage extra urgency. Both facet of the objective, McCarthy frees had them main by two factors, 1-8 to 0-9, on the interval after enjoying into the wind.
In truth, they had been flattered to be in entrance.
Kilkenny had been the extra businesslike facet and had been extra on the entrance foot. Twice, they’d objective probabilities.
Adrian Mullen, the busiest ahead, was blocked by Conor Leen after Eoin Cody’s go; earlier, Mullen had a shot deflected over for some extent by Eibhear Quilligan after a primary effort by Cody was blocked by Adam Hogan.
Fitzgerald, excellent to date this season, couldn’t get into the sport, however Kilkenny missed probabilities. Mullen scored three factors and noticed 4 extra makes an attempt path broad, Kilkenny hitting 9 wides within the first half and leaving two quick, though the wind was an affect.
Scorers:
Clare: A McCarthy 2-10 (9fs); D Fitzgerald 1-0; M Rodgers 0-2; D Ryan, C Malone, D Lohan, I Galvin 0-1 every.
Kilkenny: E Cody 1-4 (3fs); M Keoghan 0-4; A Mullen 0-3; C Kenny 0-2; S Murphy, R Reid, D Blanchfield, J Molloy, B Drennan (f), B Ryan, J Donnelly 0-1 every.
Groups:
Clare: E Quilligan; A Hogan, C Cleary, C Leen; D Ryan, J Conlon, C Galvin; D Lohan, C Malone; D Fitzgerald, M Rodgers, P Duggan; A McCarthy, I Galvin, D Reidy.
Subs: S O’Donnell for I Galvin (h-t); A Shanagher for Reidy (53); D McInerney for C Galvin (58); R Hayes for Leen (59); S Morey for Lohan (67).
Kilkenny: E Murphy; S Murphy, H Lawlor, T Walsh; D Blanchfield, P Deegan, R Reid; C Kenny, J Molloy; A Mullen, J Donnelly, B Ryan; L Hogan, B Drennan, E Cody.
Subs: M Keoghan for Hogan (29); T Clifford for Drennan (45); Ok Blanchfield for Molloy (50); L Blanchfield for Ryan (60).
Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).
Attendance: 12,307
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