*David Reidy’s shot is blocked by Cian Kenny. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Clare headed to Croke Park full of hope but left dejected and disappointed, coming up second best across the board against Kilkenny to bow out of the All-Ireland SHC.
In what was arguably Clareโs poorest championship display under Brian Lohan, Kilkenny recorded a twelve point win to set up a final date with Limerick.
Seamus Hayes looks back on the game to give our latest player ratings.
1: Eibhear Quilligan:
The Feakle man could do nothing about Kilkennyโs two goals. He made a suberb save from Eoin Cody on the half hour mark.
Rating: 7
2: Rory Hayes:
In a defence which was under huge pressure throughout, the Wolfe Tones man battled to the end.
Rating: 6
3: Conor Cleary:
The Miltown Malbay man who plays his hurling with Kilmaley started strongly making a few good catches but the constant movement of the Kilkenny forwards caused huge problems.
Rating: 6
4: Paul Flanagan:
The Ballyea man continued his excellent form with another strong performance which included a number of very important interceptions when Kilkenny looked set to score
Rating: 7
5: Diarmuid Ryan:
Contributed 0-3 to the teamโs tally and looked particularly good when Clare were on the attack.
Rating: 7
7: David McInerney:
Switched to the centre back position when John Conlon cried off due to injury, the Tulla man got through a lot of good work.
Rating: 7
17: Pรกidรญ Fitzpatrick:
A surprise inclusion in place of the injured John Conlon given that he hadnโt played any game with the team this season, he struggled from the off.
Rating: 5
10: Cathal Malone:
After impressive early season form, Malone failed to maintain that form against a dominant Kilkenny midfield.
Rating: 6
15: Ryan Taylor:
Another member of the Clare side who, despite his best efforts, struggled to re-produce the form he had shown in earlier rounds and he found Conor Browne a handful to deal with.
Rating: 6
8: David Fitzgerald:
The Inagh/Kilnamona man started very impressively with two of Clareโs opening three points but as the game went on, Kilkenny took control throughout the pitch.
Rating: 7
11: Tony Kelly:
The undoubted star of the side on their way to this stage of the championship, the Ballyea man wasnโt given the space to show his array of skills on this occasion. There are many who believe that the team captain is hampered by an ankle injury suffered in the closing stages of the Munster final.
Rating: 6
12: Shane OโDonnell:
The รire รg man provided the stiffest test to a strong Kilkenny defence and contributed 0-4 from play, three coming in the second half.
Rating: 7
13: Ian Galvin:
The Clonlara man struggled to win possession on a day when Kilkenny defenders dominated and he was called ashore after just twenty six minutes.
Rating: 5
14: Peter Duggan:
Despite being the target man for many high deliveries from the Clare defence, he struggled to win possession against a powerful Kilkenny defence in which Huw Lawlor excelled.
Rating: 6
9: David Reidy:
Like his fellow corner forward Ian Galvin, Clareโs tactic of high deliveries into this area certainly did not suit the Ennis native.
Rating: 5
SUBS –
18: Aron Shanagher:
The Wolfe Tones man was introduced after twenty six minutes but failed to repeat the heroics of the previous round against Wexford.
Rating: 5
23: Cian Nolan:
Unlucky not to have been in the starting line up, particularly after John conlon was forced to withdraw, Nolan offered strong resistance to the Leinster champions when introduced for the second half.
Rating: 6
26: Mark Rodgers:
The Scariff man chipped in with 0-2 following his introduction for the second half.
Rating: 6
19: Shane Meehan:
In the action for the final twenty minutes, the Banner clubman is certainly one for the future.
Rating: 6
21: Shane Golden:
Only in the action for the final seven minutes.
Rating: N/A
