And then there were four!
It’s the first of the All-Ireland SHC semi-final days as Kilkenny and Clare battle it out for a place in the decider. It’s the three-in-a-row Leinster champions versus the in-form team of the championship.
We’ll have team line-ups for you shortly and any team news as we edge towards the 5.30pm throw-in.
Some pre-match reading to get you warmed up for the clash at Croker.
Maurice Brosnan takes a look at the playing career of Kilkenny manager Brian Cody
Sinéad Farrell reviews the impact of Peter Duggan and Shane O’Donnell since their return to the Clare team this year.
And Fintan O’Toole, who is our main man reporting in Croke Park today, considers the importance of O’Loughlin Gaels trio Huw Lawlor, Mikey Butler and Paddy Deegan to the Kilkenny defence.
Here are the teams that have been named, starting with Kilkenny
Kilkenny
1. Eoin Murphy (Glenmore)
2. Mikey Butler (O’Loughlin Gaels), 3. Huw Lawlor (O’Loughlin Gaels), 4. Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan)
5. Michael Carey (Young Irelands), 6. Richie Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks – captain), 7. Paddy Deegan (O’Loughlin Gaels)
8. Adrian Mullen (Ballyhale Shamrocks), 9. Conor Browne (James Stephens)
10. Eoin Cody (Ballyhale Shamrocks), 11. Padraig Walsh (Tullaroan), 12. TJ Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
13. Billy Ryan (Graigue-Ballycallan), 14. Martin Keoghan (Tullaroan), 15. Cian Kenny (James Stephens)
And here is the Clare starting XV:
Clare
1. Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
2. Rory Hayes (Shannon Wolfe Tones), 3. Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown), 4. Paul Flanagan (Ballyea)
5. Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe), 6. John Conlon (Clonlara), 7. David McInerney (Tulla)
8. David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona), 9. David Reidy (Éire Óg Ennis)
10. Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge), 11. Tony Kelly (Ballyea), 12. Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg)
13. Ian Galvin (Clonlara), 14. Peter Duggan (Clooney Quin), 15. Ryan Taylor (Clooney/Quin)
Interesting to note that Richie Hogan has been included in the Kilkenny match-day squad:
The Kilkenny team to play Clare in All Ireland Semi-Final has been named. pic.twitter.com/n0ncrRRih9
— Kilkenny GAA (@KilkennyCLG) July 1, 2022
Brian Lohan and his management team have announced Clare’s starting line up to take on Kilkenny in Croke Park tomorrow . The very best wishes to the Banner men . pic.twitter.com/lBy16F8coK
— Clare Gaa (@GaaClare) July 1, 2022
If you’d like to get involved in the coverage today, you can post your thoughts in the comment section below, or send a Tweet to myself on @sinead_farrell7
Change on the Clare team ahead of throw-in
Paidi Fitzpatrick comes in to start for John Conlon who has been ruled out through injury.
The crowd is building nicely at Croker
Interesting contingency plan to have in place today
GAA taking no chances today. From today's programme notes: 'If the games goes to extra time An Clár leaves the field immediately on full-time whistle. Cill Channaigh to leave the field once the tunnel has cleared.' #kilkennyclare
— Sean McGoldrick (@SeanMcGoldrick1) July 2, 2022
Kilkenny v Clare
The sides are finishing the pre-match parade. Almost ready to go now.
Kilkenny v Clare: Throw-in!
1 min: Kilkenny 0-1 Clare 0-0
First blood to Kilkenny as TJ Reid converts a long-range free.
1 min: Kilkenny 0-1 Clare 0-1
Brilliant response from Clare as David Fitzgerald splits the posts on the Davin End.
3 mins: Kilkenny 0-1 Clare 0-1
Cathal Malone attempts to send over a point from distance but his shot falls short into the paw of Kilkenny keeper Eoin Murphy.
His clearance goes out over the sideline but Clare don’t come away with anything from the sideline cut.
4 mins: Kilkenny 0-2 Clare 0-2
Slick footwork from Shane O’Donnell as he dances inside the Kilkenny defence after grabbing possession from a ruck and glides his shot over the bar.
Adrian Mullen produces the response for Kilkenny.
6 mins: Kilkenny 0-2 Clare 0-2
Paidi Fitzgerald, who started for John Conlon, takes a shot at the posts but his effort sails wide. Very pacey start to the tie as expected.
7 mins: Kilkenny 0-3 Clare 0-2
Mullen links up with Reid brilliantly and drills it over to give Kilkenny the lead. Tony Kelly hits a wide at the other end.
9 mins: Kilkenny 0-4 Clare 0-2
Hawkeye required to determine if a shot from Eoin Cody at a narrow angle is a score. The Tá flashes up to give Kilkenny a two-point lead.
Some brilliant skill from Cody before squeezing his shot inside the post.
10 mins: Kilkenny 0-5 Clare 0-2
Reid slots over a second free to extend Kilkenny’s advantage. Brian Cody’s side are looking good as they settle into the tie.
Clare could do with a score to keep the board ticking over.
13 mins: Kilkenny 0-7 Clare 0-2
But it’s Kilkenny who get the next score as Eoin Cody strikes again. And Conor Browne adds to that with a lovely strike to put them five clear of the Banner.
It’s all Kilkenny at the moment. They’re dominating the possession and making more of their chances in front of the posts.
14 mins: Kilkenny 0-8 Clare 0-3
Sniff of a goal chance for Kilkenny as Eoin Cody slips while taking a shot. His effort falls short and ball spills out from the break.
Clare clear the danger though and feed possession to David Fitzgerald who gets a badly needed score. But Kilkenny respond instantly through a point from TJ Reid.
16 mins: Kilkenny 0-8 Clare 0-3
Tony Kelly misses a free and that’s a point Clare really needed to cut the gap.
20 mins: Kilkenny 0-8 Clare 0-4
Massive point for Clare!
Brilliant work from Peter Duggan to provide the pass for Ryan Taylor and he pops it over.
21 mins: Kilkenny 0-9 Clare 0-5
TJ Reid and Diarmuid Ryan exchange points. The difference is still four points but Clare are getting a more of a return in the fight for possession.
22 mins: Kilkenny 0-10 Clare 0-5
Another TJ Reid free puts five between the sides. Clare are committing too many fouls and Reid is punishing them every time.
24 mins: Kilkenny 0-11 Clare 0-5
Ian Galvin hits Clare’s seventh wide. That’s a big tally of missed chances. At the other end, Adrian Mullen hits his third and pushes the advantage again.
Tony Kelly pops up again with another long-range effort, but again, it drifts wide.
26 mins: Kilkenny 0-12 Clare 0-5
Eoin Cody is terrorising the Clare defence. That’s a third point for him as Clare spring Aron Shanagher from the bench to replace Ian Galvin.
28 mins: Kilkenny 0-13 Clare 0-5
An unmarked Padraig Walsh has lots of time to consider his shot before calmly slotting the ball between the posts.
Kilkenny are playing with such an efficiency and speed that Clare can’t live with. They need to rack up some scores soon to stay in contention.
29 mins: Kilkenny 0-14 Clare 0-5
Cian Kenny adds his name to the list of scorers. This game has a bit of an ominous tone about it, but we’ve seen Clare rally from similar positions before.
They’ll need that if they want to stay in this match.
30 mins: Kilkenny 0-15 Clare 0-5
SAVE!
Super goalkeeping from Eibhear Quilligan to keep out a shot from TJ Reid who stormed through the Clare defence unopposed before trying to crack his shot into the bottom corner.
Kilkenny come away with a point but Clare have to draw some inspiration from that brilliant save.
32 mins: Kilkenny 0-16 Clare 0-6
Tony Kelly finally gets his name on the scoreboard and puts a slight dent in the gap. Padraig Walsh scores moments later to keep their noses well in front.
Clare can’t seem to get a break to get their game moving.
34 mins: Kilkenny 0-17 Clare 0-6
Mullen comes sniffing for a goal but the Clare defenders do very well to rob the ball back. They go on the counter-attack but a poor final pass sees possession come back to Kilkenny and Mullen finishes the move with a point.
Clare need that half-time break to reset.
GOAL!: Kilkenny 1-17 Clare 0-6 (Martin Keoghan ’35)
Half-Time! Kilkenny 1-17 Clare 0-6
Kilkenny 1-17 Clare 0-6
Martin Keoghan stings Clare with a goal that puts Kilkenny 14 points in front at the break. Quilligan tried his best to keep the shot out as the first attempt was half blocked but Keoghan raced in to sweep the ball over the line.
Clare have a mountain to climb in the second half. They’ve hit 11 wides and are really struggling to find a purple patch in this game.
TJ Reid has been awesome in the first half
Kilkenny 1-17 Clare 0-6
Kilkenny making a change before the start of the second half as Walter Walsh replaces Martin Keoghan.
Second-Half! Kilkenny 1-17 Clare 0-6
Clare have it all to do as the second half gets underway.
36 mins: Kilkenny 1-17 Clare 0-6
Kelly stands over a free at the midway line, straight in front of the posts. But his shot comes back off the post and Clare get nothing from the crumbs.
They needed that to get off to a good start.
37 mins: Kilkenny 1-17 Clare 0-8
Lovely support play from Clare as they work the ball up the field and finish with a point from Diarmuid Ryan.
Rory Hayes follows that up with a super effort from way down the field. 12 points between them now.
39 mins: Kilkenny 1-18 Clare 0-8
A Reid free gives Kilkenny some space again. Rory Hayes races up the field from the puckout and gets into a scoreable position but he can’t steer his shot over the bar.
That just sums up Clare’s day.
40 mins: Kilkenny 1-18 Clare 0-9
TJ Reid commits a foul and this time, Kelly makes no mistake from the free bring the gap back to 12.
42 mins: Kilkenny 1-19 Clare 0-10
Massive goal chance for Kilkenny after an awesome run from Billy Ryan. He fizzes his shot over the bar. David McInerney scores at the other end.
GOAL! Kilkenny 2-19 Clare 0-10 (Cian Kenny ’43)
44 mins: Kilkenny 2-19 Clare 0-11
Kelly scores a free but what about that goal from Cian Kenny? He slips inside the Clare cover and collects a pass before sprinting through to whip his shot past Eibhear Quilligan.
This is a demolition effort from the Cats, and they have one foot now in the final.
47 mins: Kilkenny 2-19 Clare 0-12
Here’s that goal from Cian Kenny as Peter Duggan scores a free.
Kilkenny's Cian Kenny delivers what would appear to be a fatal blow to Clare's All-Ireland hopes.
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 2, 2022
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49 mins: Kilkenny 2-20 Clare 0-13
Walter Walsh picks off a point as Clare’s Peter Duggan has been called ashore. Shane O’Donnell fetches the ball brilliantly and scores over his shoulder.
52 mins: Kilkenny 2-20 Clare 0-15
O’Donnell pops up with his third point of the day, and David Fitzgerald adds to that with another fine point.
Do they have enough time to produce a miracle comeback?
53 mins: Kilkenny 2-21 Clare 0-16
Adrian Mullen and Mark Rodgers trade points as the gap now stands at 11.
54 mins: Kilkenny 2-21 Clare 0-17
Rodgers steps up again with another monstrous score. One more point would bring Clare out of double-score territory. It’s a huge ask but they have 16 minutes to do it.
56 mins: Kilkenny 2-22 Clare 0-17
TJ Reid converts another brilliant free to bring his tally to seven so far.
58 mins: Kilkenny 2-22 Clare 0-17
Aron Shangher hits his side’s 17th wide of the game. Kilkenny only have four blanks beside their name. David Fitzgerald tries to solo through but possession is nipped away from him.
60 mins: Kilkenny 2-24 Clare 0-17
1-2 for Cian Kenny as he sends the ball over from distance. Adrian Mullen then wins a free which is just target practise for TJ Reid.
63 mins: Kilkenny 2-24 Clare 0-18
Ryan Taylor hits it over from out near the Cusack Stand, his first of the day. But it looks like Clare are out of time against a Kilkenny team who had just too much for them today.
65 mins: Kilkenny 2-25 Clare 0-19
SAVE!
Eoin Murphy produces an acrobatic reaction to a powerful effort from Diarmuid Ryan. Kilkenny win the break and work a point from the counter-attack.
Kelly hits his fourth of the day.
68 mins: Kilkenny 2-26 Clare 0-19
0-10 for TJ Reid as he makes it look so effortless. What a performance from the Kilkenny stalwart.
70 mins: Kilkenny 2-26 Clare 0-20
Three minutes of added time to be played and the seconds are winding down on Clare’s season.
Full-Time! Kilkenny 2-26 Clare 0-20
Kilkenny 2-26 Clare 0-20
Utterly dominant!
What a performance from Kilkenny. They controlled that tie completely from the early stages of the first half. They bossed almost every line of the pitch and subdued all of Clare’s key men.
Before you go, have a read of Fintan O’Toole’s match report from Croke Park.
There’s not much else to say after that. Brian Cody proves once again that he’s one of the best managers of all time, as he guides another Kilkenny team to an All-Ireland final.
Clare will be disappointed that they didn’t bring more of a fight to Croke Park. Their wide tally was significant but it seem as though Kilkenny would have a response for everything they had.
Limerick and Galway will battle it out for the other spot in that final, and whoever prevails will have a major job ahead of them on 17 July.
Well, that’s all from us. Thanks for joining us today and we hope to have you with us again tomorrow for the other semi-final.
Bye for now!
lead by example captain robbie and stop waving your arms looking for fouls.
hush now less of that banter its all a bit of craic and a excuse to get pissed, have the faith there’ll be a few more sessions
We have kept the faith Robbie now get off your arse and repay it!!!
Would have more faith if keane was dropped for shane long.
He just doesn’t have the fitness, while longs height will Benefit that questionable long ball game we play. Unfortunately It looks like he’s starting, cox and himself were training together. Either way come on Ireland
agreed
Time for a reality check here…let’s face it, this Irish team does not have the required quality and technical ability needed to get the results we are all “dreaming” of. At best we are looking at 2 defeats and a draw…but we are there and let’s try and enjoy the occasion…
fk yeah we’ll have a pint, and hope they do well, but they’re awful, the worst team there. As for robbie, hes bloody RETIRED. la galaxy and some trite comment about it just being another game. They will give the ball to Spain again and again and it will b painful. As for people giving thumbs down to comments that aren’t hopelessly optimistic, cop on. You live in a corrupt boghole of a banana republic, getting all teary eyed about a couple of geezers kicking a ball about when your country was sold from under you by inbred turds. Y’all did fk all about that didnt you? Great guys to get behind Ireland when it costs you nothing. Stay in the cowardly herd with your coybig bs. Id rather see them lose and try to play than lose the way they did and will do.
Janey Mac is all I can say to that
I would b a fan of robbies but it’s not all about past achievements he’s not playin well a d should be on the bench
I’ll start too when your on the bench
Joke of a comment, we have very few players that have not only shown commitment to their country from the very start to the very end of their career, not to mention delivered as well when it matters. Keano is without a shadow of a doubt one of them.
Not saying that gives him automatic rights to a start, he knows that himself and said it two years ago. But facts are facts and he gets big big goals in big games.
One word – “Dream”
Well we got there and should be proud of that and as long as they are playing I will believe cmon Ireland I love this country
With a population of 4 million and a semi pro league we’ve always punched above our weight.
All the naysayers said we wouldn’t qualify, now they’re saying we won’t get out of the group, we’ve nothing to lose. COYBIG!
For you its just another game… Its a lot more than just another game to a lot of fans and home and especially away… u should run your socks off and do your best to get a result… at the end of the day it is 11 men against 11 men… i cant see why we cant get a result but we have to go into it with a good attitude and show no fear…. COYBIG
Exactly man.
The fans have more passion than the players.
The last game was actually cringe worthy and extremely frustrating.
They should be destroying themselves out there, giving the cliched 110%.
Robbies 300/1 to score a hatrick v Spain. I heard David Villa and Butragueno are 50/1.
He would have more chance of winning the lotto twice over..
Ireland will lose to spain and italy alike and will go home as predicted by me on th 19th june ,
If you predict it on 19th June it’ll already have happened – what black magic is this?
For everyone who are convinced ireland will lose. 2/7 are the odds for spain to win. You might have to give your bank 24 hours notice if you are withdrawing your life savings for a bet.
We’re still in with a shout i think…
..in 2016..
first you didnt want me to buy the pony, now you want me to bring it back. make up your mind marge…
The faith of what?