HURLING: Cat-like Murphy reflexes deny Clare at death

All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Kilkenny 1-25 Clare 1-22

A completely different Clare All-Ireland Semi-Final performance but still the result remained the same as a never-say-die Kilkenny weathered a strong second half Banner storm to tee up a final rematch with Limerick in a fortnight’s time, writes Eoin Brennan.

In front of a Banner-dominated 48,360, Brian Lohan’s side brushed off a disappointingly cautious opening period (0-15 to 0-10) to go for the jugular on the restart, with a swashbuckling 0-9 to 0-2 third quarter turnaround, six from Mark Rodgers, catapulting them two clear.

However, a defensive lapse provided a lifeline that a wily Kilkenny inevitably snatched with both hands as a TJ Reid interception set up Eoin Cody for the opening goal of the game in the 55th minute at 1-18 to 0-18.

Such a sucker-punch was difficult to stomach but a moment of magic regained full parity in the 63rd minute when Diarmuid Ryan’s delivery over the top was collected by Shane O’Donnell who shrugged off the challenge of Tommy Walsh before rifling a bullet to the roof of the Kilkenny net at 1-20 to 1-20.

Clare failed to build on that shot-in-the-arm however as Kilkenny’s chief marksmen TJ Reid (2) and Eoin Cody wiped out Clare’s goal as the tie drifted into additional time.

There would be time for one last twist as in the 72nd minute, David Fitzgerald offloaded to the impressive Peter Duggan who unleashed an instinctive first time volley that was somehow tipped onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Eoin Murphy.

Reminiscent of Cork’s Patrick Collins’ last gasp save in 2021 to deny Tony Kelly and knock Clare out of the All-Ireland series, it was a frustrating end to another memorable season that saw both crucial provincial and All-Ireland decided by wafer-thin margins.

The welcome return of injury doubts Conor Cleary, John Conlon, David McInerney and Shane O’Donnell from the outset offered renewed optimism but due to the manner of Kilkenny’s twelve point victory at the same stage in 2022, Clare opted for defensive fortitude in the first half as Seadna Morey was utilised as an extra defender.

Having not employed such a tactic, even against perennial All-Ireland champions Limerick twice, there was an element of confusion in the Banner’s rearguard which provided Kilkenny with the impetus.

Going blow-for-blow in the opening ten minutes on four occasions, Kilkenny were the ones to finally break free with five of the next six points, bookended by TJ Reid placed balls at 0-9 to 0-5 by the end of the opening quarter.

The damage could have been much worse though, only for Eibhear Quilligan to produce an outstanding stop to deny the raiding Reid.

Clare did match their opponents throughout the second quarter but a brilliant diving block from Conor Fogarty denied Mark Rodgers with a much-needed goal in the 22nd minute.

O’Donnell and the outstanding Eoin Cody also saw shots repelled early in the new half but Kilkenny’s greater efficiency and overall guile in much more familiar surroundings would prove pivotal ingredients in holding off an ever-gamey Clare that were heartbreakingly forced to concede second best at the penultimate stage for the second consecutive year.

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy (Glenmore); Mikey Butler (O’Loughlin Gaels), Huw Lawlor (O’Loughlin Gaels), Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan); David Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge), Richie Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Paddy Deegan (O’Loughlin Gaels); Conor Fogarty (Erin’s Own), Adrian Mullen (Ballyhale Shamrocks); John Donnelly (Thomastown), Martin Keoghan (Tullaroan), Tom Phelan (Conahy Shamrocks); Billy Ryan (Graigue Ballycallan), TJ Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Eoin Cody (Ballyhale Shamrocks)

Subs: Walter Walsh (Tullogher Rosbercon) for Keoghan (44), Cian Kenny (James Stephens) for Donnelly (54), Cillian Buckley (Dicksboro) for Fogarty (55), Richie Hogan (Danesfort) for Phelan (66), Padraig Walsh (Tullaroan) for Ryan (68)

Scorers: TJ Reid (0-12, 10f, 1’65, 1s/l); Eoin Cody (1-5); Adrian Mullen (0-2); Tom Phelan, Billy Ryan, Huw Lawlor, Paddy Deegan, Cian Kenny, Padraig Walsh (0-1 each)

Clare: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle); Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones),Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown), Adam Hogan (Feakle); Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe), John Conlon (Clonlara), David McInerney (Tulla); Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge), Tony Kelly (Ballyea); David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona), Ryan Taylor (Clooney-Quin), Mark Rodgers (Scariff); Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin), Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg), Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge)

Subs: David Reidy (Éire Óg) for Taylor (33, inj), Ian Galvin (Clonlara() for Morey (HT), Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones) forReidy (70)

Scorers: Mark Rodgers (0-10, 5f, 3’65); Shane O’Donnell (1-1); Cathal Malone, David Fitzgerald (0-2 each); Ryan Taylor, Peter Duggan, David McInerney, Tony Kelly, Ian Galvin, David Reidy, Diarmuid Ryan (0-1 each)

Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork)