The build-up to Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final between Kilkenny and Clare is continuing today.
It’s a repeat of last year’s clash at the same stage with Kilkenny coming into the highly anticipated encounter off the back of a dramatic Leinster final victory over Galway.
See also: Clare legend Jamesie O’Connor examines tactical battles in All ireland semi-final
Despite Clare maintaining their fine form in the quarter-final with a ruthless dispatching of Dublin, Banner legend Ollie Baker says Kilkenny will be difficult opposition to overcome for his county.
“Kilkenny are an exceptional team, an absolutely brilliant team. They’ll have all their best players on the pitch on Sunday as well, where they need to be at an All-Ireland in the semi-final.”
“There is no team in the country like Kilkenny, who knows how to win semi-finals, so there’s a huge challenge ahead there for Clare.”
See also: Clare’s Tony Kelly hopes to put past disappointment behind him
The Clare legend also outlined how an All-Ireland semi-final differs from any other game;
“It is more important that you are more focused on getting scores and denying scores than you are on playing a lovely open brand and entertaining style of hurling.”
“That is not what is important on the day of a semi-final, it is all about the result.”
You can hear that full interview this weekend on Scoreline.
