*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CLARE REMAIN unbeaten in the 2024 Allianz National Hurling League and are on their way to the semi-finals of the competition.
Clare 0-19
Kilkenny 0-16
Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis
A three point win over Kilkenny has Clare primed for an appearance in the semi-finals of the National League after they produced a late rally in an overall dull affair to overcome Kilkenny.
It is the first time since 2021 that Clare have defeated Kilkenny at senior level, that clash was also in the league and since then All-Ireland semi-final defeats have been experienced at the hands of Kilkenny in 2022 and 2023. For the occasion, Clare sported a blue jersey which according to Clare GAA is “designed to honour Michael Cusack”.
For sure and certain it was not a classic or an excellent encounter like their last two championship meetings but that won’t bother Clare who despite being off their best still had enough to see off last year’s All-Ireland finalists.
What will be of some worry to Clare is that they lost three defenders to injury by the forty fourth minute, namely John Conlon, Adam Hogan and Conor Leen. Their losses coupled with the introduction of John Donnelly to the Kilkenny attack led to a disjoined defensive performance which included the concession of far too many frees.
James Owens was whistle happy in the contest which totally removed any flow from the game but Clare were sloppy in their tackling which allowed the Wexford official the opportunity to award frees and which saw TJ Reid convert nine placed balls over the course of the afternoon. The indiscipline led to Darragh Lohan getting dismissed before the final whistle as he picked up a second yellow card.
When it came to frees, Clare put the responsibility on Aidan McCarthy’s shoulders after Mark Rodgers scored one and missed three by the eleventh minute. McCarthy finished with six frees to his name but wasn’t overly influential from open play.
His clubmate David Fitzgerald once again stood out as one of Clare’s most impressive performers, hitting 0-5 from play and adding positively to Clare’s attacks.
Though it was Kilkenny who took the lead with forty four seconds played, Clare through Rodgers and Peter Duggan nudged ahead by the seventh minute and from here would go on to be the better side for the opening half. Fitzgerald’s second point of the day helped them to hold a 0-09 0-05 advantage by the twenty third minute but Kilkenny levelled matters when they added four points on the bounce, only for McCarthy to convert two frees to see Clare back in front by half time.
Spectators, in total there was 6,824, had to wait until the forty second minute for the first score of the second half and it was McCarthy that slotted over this free. Kilkenny replied with efforts from Donnelly and Reid before Keith Smyth hit back at the other end.
Two points in a row saw Kilkenny get back on level terms by the fifty seventh minute and at this juncture a draw seemed like a reasonable call. Fitzgerald pointed and then Kilkenny’s chance for a goal was undone with Éamonn Foudy producing a double save to stop shots from both Reid and Donnelly.
With seven minutes remaining, Donnelly equalised but a strong Clare finish followed with unanswered efforts from McCarthy, Diarmuid Ryan and Peter Duggan to see Clare maintain their unbeaten status.
Scorers Clare: A McCarthy (0-6 6f), D Fitzgerald (0-5), P Duggan (0-2), K Smyth (0-2), M Rodgers (0-1 1f), C Leen (0-1), D Reidy (0-1), D Ryan (0-1),
Scorers Kilkenny: TJ Reid (0-09 9f), J Donnelly (0-3), P Deegan (0-2), D Blanchfield (0-1), E Cody (0-1).
Clare:
1. Eamonn Foudy (Inagh/Kilnamona)
2. Paul Flanagan (Ballyea)
3. Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
4. Adam Hogan (Feakle)
5. Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe)
6. John Conlon (Clonlara)
7. Conor Leen (Corofin)
9. Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones)
8. Cian Galvin (Clarecastle)
10. David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona)
11. David Reidy (Éire Óg)
12. Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin)
13. Mark Rodgers (Scariff)
14. Aidan McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona)
15. Keith Smyth (Killanena)
Subs:
20: Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge) for Leen (HT) (inj)
17: Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones) for Hogan (38)
21: Seán Rynne (Inagh/Kilnamona) for Conlon (45)
22: Shane Meehan (Banner) for Rodgers (60)
19: Ross Hayes (Crusheen) for Flanagan (68)
Kilkenny:
1: Eoin Murphy (Glenmore)
4: Tommy Walsh (James Stephens)
3: Huw Lawlor (O’Loughlin Gaels)
2: Mikey Butler (O’Loughlin Gaels)
5: David Blanchfield (Bennetsbridge)
6: Richie Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
7: Shane Murphy (Glenmore)
8: Darragh Corcoran (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
9: Mikey Carey (Young Irelands)
10: Adrian Mullen (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
11: TJ Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
12: Paddy Deegan (O’Loughlin Gaels)
14: Eoin Cody (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
15: Harry Shine (Dicksboro)
13: Cian Kenny (James Stephens)
Subs:
22: John Donnelly (Thomastown) for R Reid (HT)
24: Gearoid Dunne (Tullaroan) for Shine (45)
21: Timmy Clifford (Dicksboro) for Kenny (68)
Referee: James Owens (Wexford)
