Clare 0-23
Kilkenny 0-15
Clare are through to the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship final following an eight-point win over Kilkenny in Saturday’s semi-final.
A seemingly questionable sending off in the first half for Ed McDermott proved crucial as Kilkenny struggled to maintain their early intensity levels in the second half.
It was Kilkenny who got off to the faster start with points from Conor Doyle, Ciallín Brennan and Bill McDermott ushering them into an early lead.
The Munster champions responded with Michael Collins, Mark O’Brien and free-taker James Hegarty opening their accounts on a humid afternoon in Thurles.
Niall Bergin’s side regained control with star forwards Doyle and Greg Kelly restoring their lead but there was shock amongst the Cats faithful soon afterwards as Ed McDermott received a red card for what was deemed to be a dangerous foul from the James Stephens clubman.
That allowed Clare to take control of a tight encounter as Ronan Kilroy, Jack Mescal, Evan Price and Hegarty helped them move into a 0-08 to 0-07 lead with half-time approaching.
To their credit, the youngsters in black and amber refused to feel sorry for themselves and a second point from Brenann in between two more successful frees from Doyle left a single point between the teams at the interval, Clare 0-11 to 0-10 Kilkenny.
Needing a fast start at the beginning of the second half, Kelly and Doyle edged Kilkenny ahead but as the game moved towards its conclusion it looked less likely that the 14-men could pull off a remarkable result.
Hegarty’s efficiency from frees along with well-taken efforts from O’Brien, Sean Arthur, Ronan Kilroy pushed them into a commanding lead and left Kilkenny with a lot to do to rekindle their hopes of advancing to the decider.
Their chances came to an end when O’Brien, Emmet Mulcahy and Jamie Moylan pointed to secure an uncomfortable but ultimately successful day for the Banner County.
