*Huw Lawlor claims the ball above Peter Duggan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Along with a huge Clare crowd, I travelled to Dublin in expectation of a win rather than hoping for one. The mood before the game was confident, although as word circulated of John Conlon’s injury there was a note of apprehension.
AN OUTSTANDING Kilkenny performance mixed with a below-par display from Clare brought the curtain down on the Banner’s run in this year’s All-Ireland SHC.
*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.
*Clare’s Cathal Malone. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CLARE’S starting team for Saturday’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final shows no changes from the team which lined out in their quarter-final win over Wexford.
*Clare captain, Tony Kelly. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Saturday’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final outcome will be decided by the respective talisman, Tony Kelly and TJ Reid according to an ex Kilkenny hurler now residing in East Clare.
Kilkenny and Clare have provided many memorable hurling contests over the years and this Saturday’s All-Ireland semi-final meeting of the counties is set to provide hurling followers with another intriguing clash.
*Clare defender, Rory Hayes. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill RORY HAYES and Cian Nolan are battling out for the left corner back spot on the Clare team which is expected not to show any major changes.
*Tony Kelly on the attack for Clare. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill At no stage during Saturday’s All-Ireland senior hurling championship quarter final did Clare think that their season was over, according to team captain Tony Kelly.
*Diarmuid Ryan was among the central figures behind Clare’s comeback. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill It was an unusual day of hurling in Thurles at the weekend. While it is great to be able to see both quarter finals live, the GAA should revisit the idea of a double header for All-Ireland quarter finals. It creates a …
CLARE’s senior hurlers produced a stirring comeback to seal their place in the All-Ireland semi-finals.
