Clare set up Kilkenny date after easing past 14-man Wexford

Clare eased into a third successive All-Ireland semi-final against Kilkenny after overpowering 14-man Wexford in front of 30,509 in FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles.

Level two minutes into the second period, the Banner upped the ante with superb opportunist goals through Shane O'Donnell and substitute Ian Galvin to outscore the Leinster side by 2-10 to 0-04 over a 20 minute period and effectively seal yet another last four rematch with the Cats.

Clare established early control scoring the first four points inside five minutes of the throw-in through Mark Rodgers, David Reidy, Conor Leen and Aron Shanagher before eventually carving out a seven-point cushion by the 24th minute.

The Banner did have to survive two early goal chances as first Rory O’Connor’s surge through the centre was snuffed out by Diarmuid Ryan before an ambitious Conor McDonald bullet was successfully parried by goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan.

Wexford did mange to gain a foothold in the contest as unanswered points through Rory O’Connor, Cian Byrne and a Lee Chin free lowered the arrears to four before earning a dramatic reprieve in the 29th minute.

Black card for David McInerney and Lee Chin fires home the resultant penalty.