Kilkenny survive Clare comeback to secure All-Ireland hurling final date with Limerick

It was the same ending with a very different script at Croke Park as Kilkenny held off a furious comeback from Clare to set up an All-Ireland final rematch with Limerick.

The Cats were in charge for most of the first half and led by five at the break - 0-15 to 0-10 - but Clare changed tactics and went for it in the second period.

The Banner got on a roll and led by the 53rd minute but a defensive mix-up allowed Man of the Match Eoin Cody (1-05) to score a crucial goal that halted their momentum.

Clare levelled with one of their own through their star performer Shane O'Donnell but Kilkenny came again, TJ Reid hitting a superb sideline cut on his way to reclaiming the all-time scoring record.

Derek Lyng's men still needed a spectacular injury-time save from Eoin Murphy to deny Peter Duggan an equalising goal but they advance to face the champions again in a fortnight’s time, aiming to gain revenge for last year’s two-point reverse.

For Clare, it’s a second successive semi-final exit to Kilkenny, though this time they will feel it’s a game they could and should have won.

We need your consent to load this comcast-player content We use comcast-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preferences

In perfect conditions at HQ, the teams went score for score in the opening 10 minutes, Cody winning a free and hitting the first of his three from play of the half.

Ryan Taylor, who departed before the interval with a knee injury, and Peter Duggan responded but Mark Rodgers missed his first free in comparison to Reid’s flawless dead balls.

Mikey Butler was repeating his effective man-marking job on Tony