Banner back in business as Cats outfought

Clare 1-16 Kilkenny 0-18

Thus it turned out also, a fine contest between two wholly committed sides. Forget about the standard — it was a miracle the game was played at all, credit to the ground staff at Cusack Park given that half the country is under water. On a heavy pitch in which the ball occasionally disappeared from view, completely buried in the mud, this was as much about physical strength and mental doggedness as it was about hurling ability and in those conditions, both sides measured up.

Clare lined out with nigh on a full-strength side, keeper Donal Touhy, corner-back Seadhna Morey and midfielder Shane Golden the only changes from the starting 15 in the All-Ireland final replay win last September.