Anthony Daly: Limerick really showed the class and composure of champions against Clare

And to me, it was a stonewall black card. Walsh could argue that Duggy didn’t have possession of the sliotar – but how much more of a reason do you need not to give a black card in that situation? Nickie completely took Duggy out.

BIG MOMENT: Aidan O'Connor celebrates his late goal for Limerick, in the 71st minute, during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final match between Clare and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

I’ll admit that I have always had the capacity to get emotional on live TV when Clare are playing, especially in Croke Park. The tears were rolling down my face after Clare won the All-Ireland in 2024. And I had to fight them back again yesterday – especially when Shane O’Donnell came over to the RTÉ panel afterwards to be interviewed.

After the Éire Óg man had played his last match for Clare, I felt compelled to put my arm around him and tell him how much a proud Magpie (Clarecastle) really appreciated all that a townie (Éire Óg) had done for his county. And everyone in Clare knows how heated the relationship is between the Magpies and the Townies.