14 man Kilkenny lose out to Clare in All-Ireland Minor Semi-Final

Kilkenny's All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship campaign came to an end when they fell to an eight point defeat at the hands of Clare in Semple Stadium.

The final scoreline in the All-Ireland Semi-Final doesn't do Kilkenny much justice as they played the vast majority of the game with only 14 players.

James Stephens giant Ed McDermott was harshly dismissed for a high challenge on Clare corner back Eoin Gunning in the 7th minute and from that point on it was always going to be an uphill task for Niall Bergin's side.

Kilkenny were ahead on a 0-3 to 0-2 scoreline when the dismissal occurred and to their credit they remained very competitive in a game where they only hit two wides in total.

The Cats can be immensely proud of their stubborn effort that saw them lead for the last time in the 32nd minute as Clare eventually wore them down with James Hegarty, Ronan Kilroy and Mark O'Brien impressing for the Munster champions.

Kilkenny battled to the end as Greg Kelly and Conor Doyle again topped the scoring total for the Noresiders and they will be left to feel what might have been had they had a full deck to play with for the 60 minutes.

Clare will now meet Galway or Cork in the final in two weeks time.

Teams and Scorers

Clare- James Hegarty (0-6, four frees and one '65), Mark O'Brien (0-4, three frees), Ronan Kilroy (0-3), Jack Mescal, Sean Arthur (0-2 each), Eoin Gunning, Jamie Moylan, Evan Price, Ogie Fanning, Harry Doherty, Emmet Mulcahy (0-1 each)

Kilkenny- Conor Doyle (0-6, four frees), Greg Kelly (0-5 three frees), Darragh Vereker, Bill McDermott, Ciallin Brennan, Brian Moore (0-1 each)

Clare- Mark Sheedy; Eoin Gunning, Ronan Keane, Conor Rynne; Matthew O'Halloran, James Hegarty, Jamie Moylan; Jack Mescal, Evan Price; Ronan Kilroy, Michael Collins, Sean Arthur; Ogie Fanning, Mark O'Brien, Eoin Begley.

Subs- Mark O'Connor for Mescal 35 mins, Harry Doherty for Fanning 45 mins, Michael Power for Begley 45 mins, Fred Hegarty for Arthur 51 mins, Emmet Mulcahy for Price 58 mins.

Kilkenny- Billy O'Sullivan (James Stephens); Conor Brophy (Erins Own), Evan Murphy (Dicksboro), Rory Garrett (Fenians); Darragh Vereker (Glenmore), Mikey Stynes (Dicksboro), Michael Ahern (Emeralds); Sean Bergin (James Stephens), Ed Lauhoff (James Stephens); Bill McDermott (James Stephens), Greg Kelly (O'Loughlin Gaels), Conor Doyle (Windgap); Ciallin Brennan (Tullaroan), Ed McDermott (James Stephens), Brian Moore (Dicksboro).

Subs- Robbie Doherty (Mooncoin) for Doyle 37 mins, James O'Neill (St Martins) for B McDermott 43 mins, Noah Manogue (James Stephens) for Lauhoff 51 mins, David Barcoe (Clara) for Garrett 59 mins, Cian Phelan (Young Irelands) for Moore 62 mins.

Referee- Kevin Jordan (Tipperary)