Summary

  • Kilkenny 1-25 Clare 1-22 (FT)

  • Kilkenny will face holders Limerick in final on 23 July

  • Cats forward TJ Reid becomes all-time championship top scorer

  • Eoin Cody hits 1-5 for Kilkenny, TJ Reid 0-12; Shane O'Donnell netted Clare's goal

  1. Team newspublished at 15:44 British Summer Time 9 July 2023

    Kilkenny v Clare (16:00 BST)

    The Kilkenny team shows just one change from the Leinster final, but it's a significant one as fit-again Adrian Mullen has recovered from a thumb injury to partner Conor Fogarty in midfield. Richie Reid replaces Darragh Corcoran in the half-back line.

    For Clare, Rory Hayes and David McInerney return to the defence as Seadna Morey and Darragh Lohan drop out. There's also a late change with Paul Flanagan coming in for Ian Galvin.

    John Conlon is fit enough to start while Conor Cleary is welcomed back from a dislocated shoulder.

    Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; David Blanchfield, Richie Reid, Paddy Deegan; Conor Fogarty, Adrian Mullen; Tom Phelan, Martin Keoghan, John Donnelly; Billy Ryan, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody.

    Subs: Darren Brennan, Conor Delaney, Cillian Buckley, Padraig Walsh, Darragh Corcoran, Alan Murphy, Cian Kenny, Timmy Clifford, Walter Walsh, Richie Hogan, Billy Drennan.

    Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Conor Cleary, Rory Hayes; Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, David McInerney; Cathal Malone, David Fitzgerald; Peter Duggan, Tony Kelly, Ryan Taylor; Paul Flanagan, Shane O'Donnell, Mark Rodgers.

    Subs: Eamonn Foudy, Aron Shanagher, Cian Galvin, Cian Nolan, Darragh Lohan, David Reidy, Patrick Crotty, Robin Mounsey, Seadna Morey, Shane Meehan, Ian Galvin.

    Kilkenny v ClareImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    Kilkenny v Clare

  2. Postpublished at 15:41 British Summer Time 9 July 2023

    Kilkenny v Clare (16:00 BST)

    Jamesie O'Connor
    Two-time All-Ireland winner with Clare on BBC Sport NI

    I'm cautiously optimistic. We had huge hopes last year but we didn't perform. We're in a much better position this year and I think there's a feeling in the group that we didn't do ourselves justice last year. It's the ultimate test against Kilkenny but if we produce a performance, we shouldn't be far away.

  3. Holders Limerick reach fourth successive finalpublished at 15:40 British Summer Time 9 July 2023

    In the other semi-final on Saturday, holders Limerick remained on course for a fourth straight All-Ireland Hurling title as they came from six points down to beat Galway 2-24 to 1-18.

    After a slow start to the game, a storming second-half performance from John Kiely's men was enough to help them book their place in the final once again.

    Read the report from yesterday's game here

    Media caption,

    Dominant Limerick sweep aside Galway to reach All-Ireland Final

  4. 'I'd love to see Kilkenny get another crack at Limerick'published at 15:39 British Summer Time 9 July 2023

    Kilkenny v Clare (16:00 BST)

    Neil McManus
    Former Antrim star on BBC Sport NI

    It comes down to the Kilkenny back-line and the brilliant Clare forward line. Clare's front six are as good as anyone. If Kilkenny get to grips with them, they'll get through to the final. I'd love to see Kilkenny get another crack at Limerick.

  5. Hurling - an explainerpublished at 15:38 British Summer Time 9 July 2023

    Kilkenny v Clare (16:00 BST)

    New to hurling?

    Not totally au fait with the rules and dynamics of the game?

    Or haven't watched it in a while and would like a refresher?

    No problem, we have you sorted with this short video that explains the sport loved by so many.

    Media caption,

    GAA All-Ireland hurling semi-finals: All you need to know about hurling

  6. Postpublished at 15:36 British Summer Time 9 July 2023

    Kilkenny v Clare (16:00 BST)

    Paul Murphy
    Four-time All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny on BBC Sport NI

    From a tactical point of view, Kilkenny have the players to sustain a challenge against Limerick for 70 minutes. But we've seen from earlier this year that Clare can do it as well.

  7. It's a Limerick-Kilkenny final for McManuspublished at 15:33 British Summer Time 9 July 2023

    Kilkenny v Clare (16:00 BST)

    Recently-retired Antrim star Neil McManus made his debut as a BBC Sport NI columnist this week to look ahead to the big weekend of All-Ireland semi-final action.

    He correctly predicted that Limerick would reach the final, and he expects Kilkenny to join them, but that's just scratching the surface of his thoughts.

    Read more of what he had to say here

  8. On their way to Croker!published at 15:27 British Summer Time 9 July 2023

    Kilkenny v Clare (16:00 BST)

    Cats and Banner fans walking to Croke ParkImage source, Inpho
  9. Listen to The GAA Social on BBC Soundspublished at 15:26 British Summer Time 9 July 2023

    Kilkenny v Clare (16:00 BST)

    John 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer speaking on The GAA Social tipped Kilkenny to regain All-Ireland hurling title.

    Read more here.

    Listen to The GAA Social on BBC Sounds, external

    The GAA Social on BBC Sounds - John O'DwyerImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    The GAA Social on BBC Sounds - John O'Dwyer

  10. Watch: Kilkenny v Clare on the BBC iPlayerpublished at 15:23 British Summer Time 9 July 2023

    The build-up to Kilkenny v Clare begins at 15:30. You can watch at the top of this page as well as on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Two Northern Ireland.

    Thomas Niblock will be joined by Neil McManus, Clare great Seanie McMahon, Wexford star Lee Chin and Paul Murphy, a four-time All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny.

    Oisin Langan will be joined on commentary by Jamesie O'Connor with Sarah Mulkerrins providing pitchside updates.

    All-Ireland hurling semi-final - Kilkenny v ClareImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    All-Ireland hurling semi-final - Kilkenny v Clare

  11. Banner out to avenge Cats defeatpublished at 15:19 British Summer Time 9 July 2023

    Kilkenny v Clare (16:00 BST)

    It's a repeat of last year's semi-final and Clare will be determined to do much, much better at headquarters this afternoon.

    Kilkenny cruised to a 12-point victory over the Banner but the Leinster champions start as underdogs this time around.

    The Cats lost out to Limerick in the 2022 decider and the Treaty county - chasing a fourth straight title triumph - await the winners in the 23 July final after defeating Galway yesterday.

    Kilkenny are aiming to end an eight-year wait since their 37th and last Liam McCarthy Cup success.

    Clare's last appearance in the final came in 2013, when they overcame Cork in a replay.

    So plenty to play for today - BBC Sport has it all covered and it promises to be a cracker of a match.

    Thanks for joining us!

    Cats forward Martin Keoghan celebrates scoring a goal against Clare in last year's semi-finalImage source, Inpho
    Image caption,

    Cats forward Martin Keoghan celebrates scoring a goal against Clare in last year's semi-final