Third time lucky as Clare fight back to down Cats

Finalists. Finally.

Clare produced a comeback for the ages as they beat Kilkenny at the third time of asking to reach their first All-Ireland SHC decider in 11 years.

The Cats led from the first to the 68th minutes in the sides' third semi-final meeting in as many years but couldn’t hold on against the men in blue, who looked a shadow of themselves in the first half and like Brazil in the second.

A superb tennis-smash of a goal from Eoin Cody had the Cats 1-10 to 0-08 up at half-time and it could have been more but for some heroics by Clare goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan.

Clare had the deficit back to two before Quilligan was at fault for a Billy Ryan major but they rallied again, Eoin Murphy denying Aidan McCarthy what would have been an equalising goal midway through the half.

The Cats kept their noses in front until the 64th minute when Mark Rodgers equalised and the roars of the Clare fans made a half-full Croker sound like a packed Maracana when a McCarthy free edged them ahead with two to play.

TJ Reid had a chance to force extra-time with a 70th-minute free but it trailed wide and Tony Kelly added the insurance point with this third of the half.

Kilkenny’s desperate attempts to find a third goal were foiled and the Clare supporters danced joyously in the stands as they celebrated a first victory at Croke Park since their 2013 All-Ireland triumph.

Today's social media clips are brought to you by Eibhear Quilligan, primarily. The Clare keeper is a busy boy. Great save from an Eoin Cody sideline that snuck through