All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final
Kilkenny 1-25 Clare 1-22
A totally various Clare All-Ireland Semi-Final efficiency however still the outcome stayed the like a never-say-die Kilkenny weathered a strong 2nd half Banner storm to tee up a last rematch with Limerick in a fortnight’s time, composes Eoin Brennan.
In front of a Banner-controlled 48,360, Brian Lohan’s side rejected a disappointingly mindful opening duration (0-15 to 0-10) to go for the jugular on the restart, with a flamboyant 0-9 to 0-2 3rd quarter turn-around, 6 from Mark Rodgers, catapulting them 2 clear.
However, a protective lapse offered a lifeline that a crafty Kilkenny undoubtedly nabbed with both hands as a TJ Reid interception established Eoin Cody for the opening objective of the video game in the 55th minute at 1-18 to 0-18.
Such a sucker-punch was hard to stomach however a minute of magic gained back complete parity in the 63rd minute when Diarmuid Ryan’s shipment over the top was gathered by Shane O’Donnell who brushed off the obstacle of Tommy Walsh prior to gunning a bullet to the roofing of the Kilkenny web at 1-20 to 1-20.
Clare stopped working to build on that shot-in-the-arm nevertheless as Kilkenny’s primary marksmen TJ Reid (2) and Eoin Cody eliminated Clare’s objective as the tie wandered into extra time.
There would be time for one last twist as in the 72nd minute, David Fitzgerald unloaded to the excellent Peter Duggan who released an instinctive very first time volley that was in some way tipped onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Eoin Murphy.
Reminiscent of Cork’s Patrick Collins’ last gasp save in 2021 to reject Tony Kelly and knock Clare out of the All-Ireland series, it was an aggravating end to another unforgettable season that saw both essential provincial and All-Ireland chosen by wafer-thin margins.
The welcome return of injury doubts Conor Cleary, John Conlon, David McInerney and Shane O’Donnell from the beginning provided renewed optimism however due to the way of Kilkenny’s twelve point triumph at the exact same phase in 2022, Clare chose protective perseverance in the very first half as Seadna Morey was made use of as an additional protector.
Having not utilized such a technique, even versus seasonal All-Ireland champs Limerick two times, there was a component of confusion in the Banner’s rearguard which offered Kilkenny with the motivation.
Going blow-for-blow in the opening 10 minutes on 4 celebrations, Kilkenny were the ones to lastly break complimentary with 5 of the next 6 points, bookended by TJ Reid positioned balls at 0-9 to 0-5 by the end of the opening quarter.
The damage might have been much even worse though, just for Eibhear Quilligan to produce an exceptional stop to reject the raiding Reid.
Clare did match their challengers throughout the 2nd quarter however a fantastic diving block from Conor Fogarty rejected Mark Rodgers with a much-needed objective in the 22nd minute.
O’Donnell and the impressive Eoin Cody likewise saw shots pushed back early in the brand-new half however Kilkenny’s higher effectiveness and general guile in far more familiar environments would show essential active ingredients in holding back an ever-gamey Clare that were heartbreakingly required to yield 2nd finest at the penultimate phase for the 2nd successive year.
Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy (Glenmore); Mikey Butler (O’Loughlin Gaels), Huw Lawlor (O’Loughlin Gaels), Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan); David Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge), Richie Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Paddy Deegan (O’Loughlin Gaels); Conor Fogarty (Erin’s Own), Adrian Mullen (Ballyhale Shamrocks); John Donnelly (Thomastown), Martin Keoghan (Tullaroan), Tom Phelan (Conahy Shamrocks); Billy Ryan (Graigue Ballycallan), TJ Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Eoin Cody (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
Subs: Walter Walsh (Tullogher Rosbercon) for Keoghan (44), Cian Kenny (James Stephens) for Donnelly (54), Cillian Buckley (Dicksboro) for Fogarty (55), Richie Hogan (Danesfort) for Phelan (66), Padraig Walsh (Tullaroan) for Ryan (68)
Scorers: TJ Reid (0-12, 10f, 1’65, 1s/l); Eoin Cody (1-5); Adrian Mullen (0-2); Tom Phelan, Billy Ryan, Huw Lawlor, Paddy Deegan, Cian Kenny, Padraig Walsh (0-1 each)
Clare: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle); Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones),Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown), Adam Hogan (Feakle); Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe), John Conlon (Clonlara), David McInerney (Tulla); Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge), Tony Kelly (Ballyea); David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona), Ryan Taylor (Clooney-Quin), Mark Rodgers (Scariff); Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin), Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg), Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge)
Subs: David Reidy (Éire Óg) for Taylor (33, inj), Ian Galvin (Clonlara() for Morey (HT), Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones) forReidy (70)
Scorers: Mark Rodgers (0-10, 5f, 3’65); Shane O’Donnell (1-1); Cathal Malone, David Fitzgerald (0-2 each); Ryan Taylor, Peter Duggan, David McInerney, Tony Kelly, Ian Galvin, David Reidy, Diarmuid Ryan (0-1 each)
Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork)
