Kilkenny 5-16

Clare 1-16

Kilkenny have been crowned All-Ireland intermediate hurling champions for the first time in six years following a decisive victory over Clare at Semple Stadium this evening.

With 1,401 spectators in attendance, the Cats recovered from a slow start to take a 4-5 to 1-7 lead into the interval. Clare reduced the deficit to four points with 10 minutes to go, but a late flurry of scores, including an injury-time goal from John Walsh, sealed Kilkenny's win.

The Banner opened brightly and led by 1-2 to 0-0 after 10 minutes with Ryan Taylor finding the net. But Pat O'Grady's charges roared back with majors from Nicky Cleere, Walsh, Billy Ryan and Luke Scanlon to leave seven points between the sides at half-time.

Clare chipped away at Kilkenny's lead after the restart through points from Jason McCarthy and Shane McGrath, but the black and ambers remained composed as late points from Ryan, Walsh, Scanlon, Alan Murphy kept them well clear before corner forward Walsh applied the coup de grace.

Kilkenny - A Duggan; E Cody, T Aylward, L Hickey; J Cleere, C Delaney, J Brennan; J Langton (0-1), L Scanlon (1-2); A Murphy (0-2f), C Tobin, R Leahy; B Ryan (1-4), N Cleere (1-4, 0-4f), J Walsh (2-2). Subs: S Morrissey (0-1) for C Tobin, J McGrath for R Leahy, S Donnelly for A Murphy.

Clare - D Vaughan; R Hayes, E Quirke, C Cooney; A McGuane, S Taylor, J McCarthy (0-2); D Conroy, K Hehir (0-3); O Donnellan, S McGrath (0-10, 8f), D Corry; D Russell (0-1), M O'Neill, R Taylor (1-0). Subs: D Walsh for S Taylor, E Enright for R Hayes, P O'Loughlin for O Donnellan.

Referee - P O'Dwyer.

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