Clare reel in Kilkenny to book spot in All-Ireland final

Brian Lohan's side had to rally to clinch a return to the championship decider at Croke Park. 

GAME OF INCHES: Clare’s Aidan McCarthy watches on as Kilkenny goalkeeper Eoin Murphy saves his goal effort. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

CLARE 0-24 KILKENNY 2-16 

Clare’s timely finish to this All-Ireland semi-final propelled them into a first final in 11 years.

In front of a disappointing 39,241 crowd in Croke Park, Kilkenny were made to pay for taking just one of five goal openings in the first half and a glut of second half wides as a believing Clare delivered the last six points of the game.

Kilkenny’s last point, a TJ Reid free in the 58th minute, sent them four points up but Clare owned the remainder. Tony Kelly, Ian Galvin and Aidan McCarthy (free) converted chances before Mark Rodgers’ leveller in the 64th minute.

Clare’s substitutes Taylor, Ian Galvin and Aron Shanagher were making impressions but it was the defiance of their defence that was making a game of it and as it ultimately proved more than just that.

Shane O’Donnell drew a free which McCarthy sent over to put Clare up for the first time and then Kelly provided more of a cushion. A nervy ending ensued but The Banner stood tallest and they weren’t going to be beaten by Kilkenny in a third straight semi-final.

Clare drove into the second half with the first three scores as Shane O’Donnell was beginning to get traction. However, their good work was undone by a Billy Ryan goal in the 47th minute.

TJ Reid had sent the ball to the square. Martin Keoghan put pressure on Eibhear Quilligan but just as Adam Hogan appeared to have quenched the attack Ryan was on hand to land the blow and push The Cats six ahead.

Clare’s reaction was strong and Kelly landed his first point of the afternoon. By the 52nd minute, Ryan’s score was cancelled out. But for Eoin Murphy stopping Aidan McCarthy’s strike seconds later, Kilkenny’s lead could have been wiped completely.

The stars were not on show in the first half. Kelly’s touches on the ball could be counted on one hand, while Paddy Deegan was spluttering and Kilkenny’s best Leinster performer John Donnelly was quiet too.

Kilkenny’s unsung men were performing, though. Cian Kenny extended his fine provincial form into this game and Kilkenny’s wing-backs David Blanchfield and Mikey Carey were dominant figures.

From five attempts on Eibhear Quilligan’s goal, Kilkenny scored just one. The first two in the 10th minute were kept out by the Clare goalkeeper. Martin Keoghan cleverly teed up Kenny for the first attempt and Mullen’s low drilled attempt was also denied by Quilligan.

Kilkenny sent over the next four scores to lead 0-6 to 0-2 by the 14th minute, the last of them a 65 after Quilligan again had to be on his toes to stop Carey after the defender broke through the Clare rearguard.

Adam Hogan had been faring well on Eoin Cody for most of the half but the Kilkenny forward landed a big blow against him in the 25th minute. Jinking his way towards goal and foiling John Conlon, Cody then sent an overhead forehand smash to the net.

Billy Ryan followed it with a point and Kilkenny were six to the good. Clare provided three of the next four points to come within four. Cody beat Hogan and was fouled in the process of running to goal but the free was overruled after Cody’s angry reaction to the Clare back.

Showing a clean pair of heels to Conlon and Diarmuid Ryan, Billy Ryan arrowed over his second point and Kilkenny went in five up, 1-10 to 0-8. It was a lead that hardly flattered them but ultimately the size of it cost them.

Scorers for Clare: A. McCarthy (0-11, 9 frees); D. Reidy, T. Kelly (0-3 each); D. Fitzgerald, M. Rodgers (0-2 each); P. Duggan, S. O’Donnell, I. Galvin (0-1 each).

Scorers for Kilkenny: T.J. Reid (0-7, 4 frees, 1 65, 1 sideline); B. Ryan (1-2); E. Cody (1-0); C. Kenny, J. Donnelly (0-2 each); P. Deegan, D. Blanchfield, M. Carey (0-1 each).

CLARE: E. Quilligan; A. Hogan, C. Cleary, C. Leen; D. Ryan, J. Conlon, D. McInerney; T. Kelly (c), C. Malone; D. Fitzgerald, S. O’Donnell, P. Duggan; D. Reidy, A. McCarthy, M. Rodgers.

Subs for Clare: I. Galvin for S. O’Donnell (temp 24-26); R. Taylor for C. Malone (50); I. Galvin for D. Fitzgerald (56); A. Shanagher for D. Reidy (61); D. Lohan for P. Duggan (70+2).

KILKENNY: E. Murphy; M. Butler, H. Lawlor, T. Walsh; D. Blanchfield, R. Reid, M. Carey; C. Kenny, P. Deegan (c); A. Mullen, T.J. Reid, B. Ryan; M. Keoghan, J. Donnelly, E. Cody.

Subs for Kilkenny: W. Walsh for M. Keoghan (58); T. Phelan for A. Mullen (63); C. Fogarty for B. Ryan (67).

Referee: L. Gordon (Galway).