Clare booked their place in their first Munster final since 2008 with a hard-fought but ultimately convincing win over Limerick at Semple Stadium.
The 19,000 or so in attendance at Thurles and viewers on Sky Sports witnessed a fine game, but more to the point, the ominous return to form of Shane O'Donnell.
The 22-year-old Ennis man has cut a rather isolated figure since exploding onto the scene against Cork in 2013, with injuries too playing their part in halting his progress, but he fired 2-2 in a man of the match display today which left hurling fans chomping at the bit.
Much of his success - most of which arrived in the first half - was down to his not being completely isolated atop Clare's attack. While the forwards around him had a relatively quiet evening, they at least committed Limerick's defenders high up the park more so than Clare have tended to do since their famous All-Ireland victory four years ago, and O'Donnell reaped the rewards much to the excitement of both Clare supporters and neutral fans.
WATCH: Shane O'Donnell gives @GAAClare the perfect start! Live on Sky Sports 1 HD or here: https://t.co/nQuALiaTJP https://t.co/1QHT5yKEHi
— Sky Sports GAA (@SkySportsGAA) June 4, 2017
Oh Shane O'Donnell you little pocket rocket, what a great finish!!#GAA #Clare #Limerick #munstergaa17 #Hurling 👏👏👌
— L. NíHéineacháin (@LaobhaoiseNihE) June 4, 2017
Shaneo! See what happens when he's not 1 vs 4 in the full forward line like he has been for three years?
— Michael McCarthy (@McCarthyMick) June 4, 2017
Shane O'Donnell with two goals in 9 minutes. Clare 2-02 Limerick 0-03 (13) #GAA
— Páraic McMahon (@thepmanofficial) June 4, 2017
This is the second best start to a game Shane O'Donnell's ever made
— Ciarán Murphy (@saveciaranmurph) June 4, 2017
Fifteen minutes played and Shane O'Donnell basically has man of the match wrapped up already.
— Peter McNamara (@PeterMcNamara_) June 4, 2017
Shane O'Donnell Is on 🔥
— Evan Daly (@Daly__95) June 4, 2017
Shane O'Donnell in marauding goalscoring form once again! Sweet memories of 2013! #GAA
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) June 4, 2017
Shane O'Donnell is flying here. He really knows where the goals are #ClareLimerick #SmallBall
— Big Red (@DaireDevine) June 4, 2017
Shane O'Donnell loves a good three pointer
— Rory O'Keeffe (@ro_keeffe) June 4, 2017
Shane O'Donnell doesn't do points #GoalMachine
— Cian Forde (@FordeCian) June 4, 2017
Shane O'Donnell churning out his 2013 quality. He's back baby!!
— Sinead Farrell (@sinead_farrell7) June 4, 2017
Shane O'Donnell is annoyingly good👀
— Seán Ó Hargáin (@Johnny_Horgan) June 4, 2017
Shane O'Donnell's on fire (your defence is terrified) 🔥🔥🔥 #MunsterGAA17 #TeamFGS pic.twitter.com/LsDZKj7iZ6
— For Goodness Shakes (@FGSIreland) June 4, 2017
Clare will face the winners of Cork and Waterford in the Munster final.
