A memorable All-Ireland semi-final on Saturday afternoon saw Clare vanquish Kilkenny to reach their first final in 11 years.
The Cats came storming out of the blocks and Clare had goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan to thank for only finding themselves five points down at half-time.
A sensational goal from Eoin Cody was the highlight of the first 35 and Kilkenny could have had more were it not for the brilliance of Quilligan in goal.
'One handed shot , like we've seen all week in Wimbledon'
Eoin Cody with a smashing goal for Kilkenny
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Clare responded in the second-half, slowly chipping away at the five-point deficit.
Though Billy Ryan would add a second goal for Kilkenny, the Clare fightback proved too strong, as they delivered a sensational two-point win on a memorable day for the Banner in Croke Park.
This not only marked the first All-Ireland semi-final win in ten years for Clare but also came after back-to-back defeats at this stage to the same opposition in 2022 and 2023.
Clare finally broke their Kilkenny hoodoo on Saturday, and man-of-the-match David McInerney explained a crucial trait of the Cats' play which they exploited at Croke Park.
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David McInerney pinpoints Kilkenny trait Clare targeted in sensational semi-final win
6 July 2024; Clare supporters on Hill 16 celebrate after the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final match between Kilkenny and Clare at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Speaking to the BBC immediately after his side's outstanding victory on Saturday, David McInerney said that the Clare squad had spent time this week reflecting on last year's defeat to Kilkenny at this stage.
That 2023 semi-final clash played out in a similar fashion, with Kilkenny taking a five-point lead in at half-time before a spirited Clare comeback in the second-half. On that occasion, however, it was not enough, with the Cats holding on for a three-point win.
McInerney told the BBC that Clare reflected on last year's loss and identified Kilkenny's rapid start as something they could exploit later in the game.
I suppose we nearly did it last year and we were very disappointed coming away. We said during the week if we were in the same position to keep the calm, don't panic and get over the line this year. Thankfully we did.
Kilkenny are a serious team and they often target the first quarter of a match. They came at us very hard hunting in packs. It's hard to keep that up for a full 70.
We just knew if we kept tipping away that we'd eventually get there. As I said, it worked out well for the finish.
To be honest, we were in the same position last year [at half-time]. We just said, if we come back, make sure we see it out this time. Don't panic, don't take on silly shots.
It's fair to say they executed that game plan perfectly in claiming a memorable semi-final win on Saturday.
Tulla man McInerney went on to say that the experience in the Clare squad had also proved crucial, and paid tribute to the influence of Brian Lohan's management team.
A lot of the team are quite close to their 30s, they've been around a long time. I think that stands to you. And then from our management team we get savage belief from Brian and the lads. They trust us.
That all feeds into something bigger and that might be why we got over the line.
Clare will face the winners of tomorrow's semi-final in the All-Ireland final on July 21st. Cork face Kilkenny in Croke Park on Sunday afternoon, with throw-in at 4pm.
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