Kilkenny’s Adrian Mullen in action against Clare’s Conor Leen during this year’s Allianz HL Division 1 final at FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles. Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
It feels very strange to be previewing the first of this year’s All-Ireland semi-finals in the month of June, yet here we are, just six days away from Kilkenny squaring off against Clare for the third year in succession. At 3.0 next Saturday, Clare fans will be praying it’ll be third time lucky.
Kilkenny would have expected to be here, but it hasn’t exactly been straightforward. In fact, both teams have shown admirable consistency and resilience to get to this stage. A brutal injury list could have had a debilitating effect on Kilkenny’s Leinster campaign, considering they had to travel to Salthill, and Parnell Park minus a host of key players.
