As the 2024 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship reaches its pinnacle with the semi-finals looming large, the anticipation and analysis are in full swing.
Recently retired Tipperary inter-county player Séamus Callanan, a three-time All-Ireland winner with his native county, shared his insights in a candid interview with KCLR, offering his perspective on the upcoming clashes and the teams involved. Reflecting on Clare’s recent struggles against Kilkenny, Callanan emphasized both the motivational potential and psychological challenges this history presents. He noted Clare’s performance against Wexford, contemplating the impact of key players like Rory O’Connor and Shane O’Donnell, particularly highlighting O’Donnell’s exceptional form and Tony Kelly’s resurgence.
“Clare will be fully aware that they haven’t beaten them the last few times. It can give them an edge or it could be a block at the end of it. Clare played okay against Wexford and it would have been interesting to see if Rory O’Connor stayed on the field what would of happened. But Shane O’Donnell is in the form of his life. He’s probably the best forward in the country at the moment. Tony Kelly found his form again. Last time, I think was maybe six, seven points he got. So if he’s coming right at the right time in the wide open space as Croke Park, that will be difficult. He played midfield the last day, is Mikey Butter going to come out to midfield? He probably will.”
This Saturday, we have a doubleheader to look forward to in Croke Park! Our Senior Hurlers take on Clare in the All-Ireland semifinal at 3pm. The curtain raiser to the semifinal is the All-Ireland Senior Camogie quarterfinal between @KilkennyCamogie & Dublin at 12:30pm.
— Kilkenny GAA (@KilkennyCLG) July 1, 2024
Let’s… pic.twitter.com/lADAgsR65X
Switching gears to Kilkenny, Callanan pointed out their understated presence despite a formidable record of five consecutive Leinster titles.
“There’s interesting things there. I think Kilkenny are coming into this in a nice position. Nobody’s talking about them. They are after winning five Leinsters in a row, nobody’s talking about them. They’re savage players. You’ve got that Kilkenny honesty every game. They don’t want to ever not show up.”
“Clare were playing maybe a little bit better at the start of the year. I think it’s going to be a cracker of a game though, both semi-finals Limerick and Clark on the other side and Limerick, you know, probably everyone’s favorites to win the All Irland. Clare always played really well against Limerick. So, there are going to be two savage games.”
“It’s a great championship. And I think you probably have the best four teams that are in the championship this year are probably in the last four. So, I think that’s great.”
With the stage set for exhilarating clashes at Croke Park, KCLR gears up to provide comprehensive coverage, including live broadcasts and pre-game analysis.
