We’re continuing to build up to Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final between Kilkenny and Clare today.
Kilkenny comfortably defeated Sunday’s opponents at the same stage last year to get to an All Ireland final for the first time since 2019. That victory also meant the Cats avoided the unwanted streak of losing three consecutive semi-finals following defeats to Waterford and Cork respectively in 2020 and 2021.
Speaking exclusively to KCLR, two-time All-Ireland winner with Clare Jamesie O’Connor said that Kilkenny’s ability to halt Tony Kelly will be one of the most important tactical battles of the game.
“Mikey Butler did such a good job on Tony Kelly last year, you’re pretty much assuming that he’ll tag him. That’s just one matchup. “
“If Tony starts to send it forward, does he start maybe even further out the field, will he start at the edge of the square? Does Kilkenny then move Huw Lawlor from the edge of the square? That’s just one of an awful lot of matchups both managers are going to be trying to get right.”
See also: Kilkenny v Clare: Injuries, Referees confirmed, KCLR Coverage
You can hear Scoreline’s full interview with Clare legend Jamesie O’Connor this Saturday from 4pm.The two-time All-Ireland winner gives the verdict from the Banner County ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final, looks at the important tactical battles for both management teams, and gives his take on the intercounty season so far.
In anticipation of the semi-final clash with Clare listen back to the 2006 meeting of Kilkenny versus Clare in the Championship.