Cody bemoans goal misses in game that ‘could have gone either way’

Kilkenny manager Brian Cody conceded the three goal chances squandered by his forward unit were crucial factors in the county’s first competitive defeat to Clare since 2005.

The visitors prized open the Clare defence on only one occasion during the first period and yet it was the chance they rued most as David McInerney superbly blocked Mark’s Kelly’s goal-bound strike before Walter Walsh kicked wide from three yards.

Clare goalkeeper Donal Tuohy was to credit for keeping the Cats at bay in the second-half, first denying Henry Shefflin from the penalty mark and on 55 minutes, terrifically repelling Jonjoe Farrell’s effort from close-range.