Clare vs Kilkenny Preview
This is an exciting week in the Allianz Hurling League. Clare vs Kilkenny sees first in Division One Group A take on second in the league table. After three games, the GAA clubs are level on points, having recorded two wins and one draw. Which team will be on top of the division after Sunday?
The 2024 NHL season has been fantastic to watch, and we are only three rounds in. However, this matchup has the credentials to be the most exciting so far. Clare recorded a draw last time out on the road against Wexford. Whereas Kilkenny completely outclassed Offaly and will take a lot of confidence into this match. The team from Leinster makes the journey to Cusack Park on Sunday, March 10, looking to extend their advantage in Group A.
Clare vs Kilkenny Head-To-Head and Key Stats
There is a well-known rivalry between Clare and Kilkenny, but these GAA clubs have not faced off in the National Hurling League since 2021. Clare was victorious on the day by an outrageous amount. However, the recent meetings in the All-Ireland semi-finals have gone the other way. In the past nine meetings against Clare in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, Kilkenny has won seven, lost one, and drawn once.
The most recent match between Kilkenny and Clare took place on July 9, 2023. The GAA clubs met in the All-Ireland semi-finals, where the winner would take on Limerick in the final. In the first ten minutes of the match, Clare and Kilkenny would exchange blows, with the Cats scoring first. After the opening exchanges, Kilkenny found several ways through the Clare defence, taking a five-point lead into halftime.
With the scores set at 0-15 to 0-10, Clare needed a big start to the second half. That is exactly what happened, and the game was level with 50 minutes played. Yet, a lapse in concentration created a perfect chance for Kilkenny. TJ Reid pounced on an interception and set Eoin Cody through. He made no mistake, and the Cats retook the lead. Clare hit back just after the hour mark to level the game again. Shane O’Donnell, who looked sharp from minute one, bullied the Kilkenny defence and hammered the sliotar home from outside the 13-meter line.
With two minutes played of additional time, Kilkenny had a two-point lead to hold. However, they nearly lost it all when a snapshot comes in and strikes the bar. It’s without a doubt, one of the best saves we have ever seen as the goalie tips the strike onto the bar. It finished 1-25 to 1-22 in favour of the Stripey Men.
The previous year, both sides met at the same stage of the competition. Unfortunately for Clare, it was a far more one-sided match, with Kilkenny running away with the scoring. Although it was 0-02 apiece in the first five minutes, the Stripey Men scored several uncontested points. A brilliant save by the Clare goalie kept some hopes alive, but Martin Keoghan scored with the clock in the red in the first half. It was 1-17 to 0-06 at halftime, and Clare could not close the gap. Especially after Cian Kenny scored a second goal with 42 minutes played. It finished 2-26 to 0-20, and Clare was no match for Kilkenny.
Betting on this hurling match feels more one-sided than it should. Yes, Kilkenny has got the better of Clare in the two most recent fixtures, but they started this campaign with a surprise draw to Wexford. In the next round of NHL fixtures, Kilkenny narrowly beat Cork by one point. Could this be the perfect time for Clare to get one over the Cats?
We expect a close game, especially as Clare is the home side in this upcoming GAA fixture. However, Kilkenny has the personnel to go on and win Group A in the National Hurling League this season. Clare will make the visitors work hard this weekend, but they must dig deep to stand a chance after the throw-in.
Clare vs Kilkenny Predictions
Prediction: Clare 1-20 to 2-22 Kilkenny
In the Clare vs Kilkenny hurling match, we predict the visitors will come out victorious. Kilkenny will defeat Clare this weekend by five points or more at the final whistle. The difference between these teams will be in the goals scored. We predict Kilkenny will beat the goalie twice, and Clare will only manage one goal.
If you have been following along to the GAA hurling matches this year, you will know this match is on a knife edge. Historically, the results have been in Kilkenny’s favour, but there have been many close matches between the clubs. With the advantage of playing at home, Clare has every chance of getting their noses in front early on. However, stopping the Stripey Men on the attack is easier said than done. We predict a charge from the away side in the second half will win this match.
The most recent match between these teams came in 2023 in the All-Ireland semi-final. Kilkenny won, but Clare challenged them into the dying embers. It took an unbelievable save in stoppage time to stop Clare from progressing in the competition. We predict it will be another close game between two bright hurling teams, but Kilkenny has the advantage. They might have started the season with a surprise draw, but they are up and running now. We think they will score at least one more goal than Clare.
One option not to overlook this week is the possibility of placing an effective live bet. Live betting on hurling matches is often troublesome to get right, but the returns can be sensational. If Clare starts this match on the front foot, we back a punt on Kilkenny to turn it around. An alternative could be for Kilkenny to win the second half after Clare takes the first. Placing wagers during a GAA event gives you dozens of opportunities to be right.
Clare vs Kilkenny Betting Tips
The odds at the online betting site show there is a marginal favourite in this fixture. The bookies favour Clare as they are the hosts. However, little separates the returns from a wager on the home or away side. Placing a €10 bet on Clare will give you €18 if they can hold off the Stripey Men. Betting on the club from Leinster has odds of 5/4, which will give you €22.50 from a ten-euro stake. Kilkenny might be the underdogs, but with only a couple of euros between them, we are still backing the visitors.
The odds available support our GAA prediction for this match. Clare to score first is worth 10/11 as opposed to evens for Kilkenny. The bookie expects Clare to come out swinging, looking to build an advantage early on and try to hold Kilkenny off. However, if there is one team in Group A who can close a gap, it’s Kilkenny. Betting on Clare to score first is a good move for this fixture.
The market with the most exciting returns this week is the winning margin. Backing Kilkenny to win by four to six points has odds of 13/2. That means betting as little as €15 will give you €112.50. We think this hurling match will be incredibly close, but the firepower from the Kilkenny attack will shine through. In the final stages, we expect the visitors to score several points as Clare becomes desperate. All winning market wagers this week have fantastic returns. Just try to be reasonable with your prediction.
If you decide to sign up for Novibet, new players can receive a welcome bonus. There are plenty of exciting hurling matches to consider this week, and this could be one of the best rounds all season to make a well-paying accumulator. Make sure you evaluate all your options this weekend, as rounds like this only come about once a season. Plus, whoever wins this match will be the clear favourite to go all the way. So, it might be worth locking in your tournament-winning predictions before it’s too late!
https://twitter.com/GaaClare/status/1764911005648183384
Betting on hurling this season has been excellent. We are three games in the group stage, and already we have seen several fantastic matches. However, this is potentially the most critical round of the NHL. For those unaware, the top two teams in both divisions are playing each other this week. In Group A, we have Clare vs Kilkenny. But in Group B, Limerick vs Tipperary is the game to watch. Whoever wins these fixtures is likely to face off in the final in a few weeks.
