The yawning chasm in class between these neighbours was fully in evidence as Kilkenny thrashed Colm Bonnar’s by 21 points in a NHL Division 1B mismatch before an attendance of 3,000.

There has been no wielding of the axe by the Clare management in the wake of last weekend’s 13-point hammering at the hands of Tipperary, with the team named for tomorrow’s game against Limerick showing just one change in personnel.

Tipperary have named an unchanged starting side for Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final clash with Kilkenny, but the major talking point is the inclusion of Toomevara’s John O’Brien at full-forward. O’Brien’s brother Thomas passed away earlier this week.

SLICK Kilkenny demolished Offaly by 12 points in yesterday’s ESB Leinster MHC semi-final at O’Connor Park, Tullamore. The ‘Cats’, managed by Richie Mulrooney, face Dublin in the final next Sunday at Croke Park.