Clare's need was greater than Cats'

Before this meeting, Clare’s last league or championship win over Kilkenny was in 2021.

10 March 2024; Clare goalkeeper Eamonn Foudy saves a last minute free from TJ Reid of Kilkenny during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group A match between Clare and Kilkenny at Cusack Park in Ennis, Clare. Photo by John Sheridan/Sportsfile

Allianz HL Division 1A: Clare 0-19 Kilkenny 0-16 

This was never going to be a fixture Clare needed to win for their 2024 ambitions to flourish, but they unequivocally couldn’t afford to lose it either. Kilkenny were coming to town and another defeat would have delivered a significant psychological blow. That hurdle was cleared with a three-point margin.