Fireworks arrive on final night as Clare hold on against Kilkenny in tense endgame

Aidan McCarthy scores Clare's third goal during the Allianz Hurling League Division One Final against Kilkenny at FBD Semple Stadium. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inphoforgot itself on the last night. After a terrific second half, with goals and missed goals and unseasonal aggression and unexpected tension,won just the fifth league title in their history. The pitch invasion was heartfelt. On a cool April evening in Thurles it nearly felt like summer.

Clare deserved to win but their sloppiness and loss of concentration in the last phase of the game brought every other outcome back on to the table. After Aidan McCarthy’s second goal, 19 minutes into the second half, Clare led by seven points, and playing with the wind they seemed to be in complete control. In the end, they were hanging on.

The remnants of Storm Kathleen played hell with the long-range shooting of both teams. The wind was blowing towards the Town End terrace but it wasn’t directly down the field which made shooting a trigonometry problem. Kilkenny, though, were minded to play the ball early and long into their inside forwards, just as they had done against Limerick in the semi-final, and their mounting wides tally didn’t dissuade them from shooting from distance either. Richie Reid landed a beauty from the wing and the impressive David Blanchfield launched a towering shot from just outside his own 45 that cleared the crossbar with yards to spare.

Clare-Gaa Kilkenny-Gaa

Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

GAA league final fixtures released as Clare take on Kilkenny at Semple StadiumDerry meet Dublin in the Division One football final in Croke Park at 4pm
Source: IrishTimes - 🏆 3. / 98 Read more »

Clare end trophy drought with League final win against KilkennyClare are this year's Hurling League champions.
Source: IrishMirror - 🏆 4. / 98 Read more »

3 key questions ahead of Clare-Kilkenny hurling league final showdownThrow-in in is 7.15pm tonight in Semple Stadium.
Source: The42_ie - 🏆 5. / 86 Read more »

Clare edge Kilkenny in pulsating clash to claim Allianz Hurling League titleThe final score was Clare 3-16 (25) Kilkenny 1-20 (23)
Source: IrishMirror - 🏆 4. / 98 Read more »

Clare v Kilkenny LIVE stream information, score updates, throw-in time and moreThe Allianz Hurling League final sees Clare and Kilkenny clash at Semple Stadium
Source: IrishMirror - 🏆 4. / 98 Read more »

Clare claim first league title win since 2016Clare secured their first league title win since 2016 by defeating Kilkenny in a thrilling match. Aidan McCarthy's impressive tally of 2-10 and a goal from David Fitzgerald helped Clare secure a two-point victory. Despite a late charge from Kilkenny, Clare held on to claim the silverware.
Source: The42_ie - 🏆 5. / 86 Read more »