Kilkenny 2-20
Clare 2-19

Kilkenny and Clare will face off in the Division 1A relegation playoff next weekend after the Cats ended a three-match losing streak at Nowlan Park.

Already consigned to the playoff before today's game, Brian Cody's men produced a strong performance to drag the Banner into the relegation mire in front of an attendance of 6,268. With the Ballyhale contingent almost certain to return next Sunday, the All-Ireland champions will fancy their chances of beating the drop.

A Shane O'Donnell brace of goals helped the visitors to a 2-9 to 1-9 interval lead, but with Jonjo Farrell and the two Kellys, Kevin and Mark causing havoc in attack, Kilkenny battled back to regain the lead before surviving a late scare when goalkeeper Eoin Murphy's saved Tony Kelly's penalty in the second minute of injury-time.

The sides were level on 0-3 each before O'Donnell grabbed his first goal in the ninth minute. But Kevin Kelly netted at the other end two minutes later to leave two points in it, 1-3 to 1-5.

The Cats got to within a point, only for the visitors to reply with scores from Colin Ryan ('65') and Seadna Morey. It was back to a one-point game before O'Donnell raised his second green flag in the 31st minute.

But Matthew Ruth replied to leave a goal between the sides at the break.

The Cats were level within four minutes of the restart thanks to points from Kevin Kelly, Mark Kelly and Walter Walsh. Ryan nudged the Banner back in front before further scores from Ryan, Tony Kelly and Conor McGrath extended their advantage.

But a Jonjo Farrell goal had Kilkenny back in front, 2-15 to 2-14, in the 52nd minute. It continued to be tit-for-tat as Ryan and John Conlon replied before Kevin Kelly and Farrell had points to tie up the scoring at 2-12 apiece with nine minutes remaining.

The All-Ireland champions then made the push for home with four unanswered points, including efforts from Farrell and Joe Lyng. Clare again cut the gap to the minimum before Kelly's missed penalty in stoppage-time denied them victory.

Kilkenny - E Murphy; S Prendergast, P Murphy, J Tyrrell; T Keogh, K Joyce, W Phelan; J Lyng (0-1), B Kennedy; W Walsh (0-2), J Power, M Ruth (0-2); JJ Farrell (1-2), K Kelly (1-9, 0-4f, 0-3'65), M Kelly (0-3). Subs: G Aylward (0-1) for B Kennedy, R Lennon for J Tyrrell.

Clare - P Kelly; P Flanagan, D McInerney, J Browne; C Dillon, Conor Ryan, P Donnellan; S Morey (0-2), C Galvin (0-2); J Conlon (0-1), T Kelly (0-4), C McGrath (0-2); A Cunningham, S O'Donnell (2-0), Colin Ryan (0-7, 4f, 1'65). Subs: D Reidy for A Cunningham, D O'Donovan for P Flanagan, D Honan for C McGrath, C Cleary (0-1) for C Galvin.

Referee - J Owens.

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