Heartbreak for Kilkenny as spirited Clare fight back to earn All-Ireland Final place

Kilkenny's hunt for a third All-Ireland Final spot in a row has ended after losing to a defiant Clare in today's semi-final in Croke Park.

The pair met at this stage of the competition in 2022 and 2023 with Lyng's side prevailing but today belonged to Brian Lohan's men.

The Cats will leave GAA HQ this evening wondering what might have been as they surrendered their five point half-time lead and failed to score in the final 13 minutes of normal time in a game which they appeared to be on top for much of.

The match stood at 2-16 to 0-19 in favour of Kilkenny by the 57th minute but scores from Tony Kelly, Mark Rodgers and sharp-shooter on frees Aidan McCarthy put 'The Banner' in the lead for the very first time in the 64th minute, a lead they would hold in the palm of their hands until the finish.

Clare's second half revival is in stark contrast to a first half which Kilkenny dominated without perhaps their superiority paying dividends on the scoreboard.

Derek Lyng's team raced into a 0-6 to 0-2 advantage by the 15th minute but in truth it could have been more with Mikey Carey and Adrian Mullen forcing impressive saves from Eibhear Quilligan.

Kilkenny were rewarded with goals though, one in each half. A spectacular flick from Eoin Cody raised the first green flag in the 24th minute to leave the scoreline at 1-7 to 0-5 while Billy Ryan, who was argubably the Noresiders man of the match fired home the Cats' second after 46 minutes to open up a 2-12 to 0-12 advantage.

However, a hungry Clare would eventually pull Kilkenny back with Aidan McCarthy, David Reidy and Tony Kelly, who was slow to find his feet, leading by example to push Lohan's men over the finishing line and book their first All-Ireland Final appearance since last winning the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2013.

Teams and Scorers

Clare- Aidan McCarthy (0-11, 9fs), Tony Kelly, David Reidy (0-3 each), David Fitzgerald, Mark Rodgers (0-2 each), Shane O'Donnell, Peter Duggan, Ian Galvin (0-1 each)

Kilkenny- TJ Reid (0-7, 4fs and 1 '65), Billy Ryan (1-2), Eoin Cody (1-0), Cian Kenny, John Donnelly (0-2 each), David Blanchfield, Paddy Deegan, Mikey Carey (0-1 each)

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; David Blanchfield, Richie Reid, Mikey Carey; Cian Kenny, Paddy Deegan; Adrian Mullen, TJ Reid, John Donnelly; Martin Keoghan, Billy Ryan, Eoin Cody.

Subs: Walter Walsh for M Keoghan (57 mins), Tom Phelan for A Mullen (62 mins), Conor Fogarty for B Ryan (67 mins)

Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Conor Cleary, Conor Leen; Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, David McInerney; David Fitzgerald, Cathal Malone; Tony Kelly, Mark Rodgers, Peter Duggan; Aidan McCarthy, Shane O'Donnell, David Reidy.

Subs: Ryan Taylor for C Malone (49 Mins) Ian Galvin for D Fitzgerald (56mins), Aron Shanagher for D Reidy (60 mins).

Referee- Liam Gordon (Galway)