Clare has secured their place in the All-Ireland Hurling Final for the first time since 2013 after a thrilling victory over Kilkenny in the semi-final.
The Banner County triumphed with a score of 24 points to 2-16 at Croke Park, thanks to a brilliant second-half comeback. This victory marks Clare’s first Championship win over Kilkenny since 1997.
After trailing in the first half, Clare managed to overturn the deficit with a spirited fightback, earning them a well-deserved spot in the final. This victory rekindles memories of their 2013 journey, where they last reached the pinnacle of hurling competition.
Aidan Fogarty, an eight-time All-Ireland winner, reflected on the emotional impact of missing an All-Ireland Final. Fogarty, who experienced the heartbreak of losing the 2011 final with Kilkenny, empathized with the current Kilkenny players. In 2011, Kilkenny narrowly missed securing a historic five-in-a-row of Liam MacCarthy titles. Fogarty was also part of the team that lost to Cork in the quarter-finals in 2013.
“Now the boys are going to be on their couch, looking at this match in two weeks’ time and going, ‘We could be easily up there,'” Fogarty said, capturing the anguish of missing out on the final. “The losing feeling is like someone ripped out your heart and there’s just nothing inside yet. Pulling out from Croke Park on a losing bus, the two buses will probably be beside each other. The Clare bus will be allowed out first because they’re champions, believe it or not. When you’re second place, you get nothing.”
With Clare’s historic win, anticipation builds for the All-Ireland Final. The Banner County will face Cork, who recently ended Limerick’s bid for a fifth consecutive title. This final is set to be a gripping encounter, with both teams eager to claim the championship after a long wait.
