Clare vs Kilkenny Preview
Old foes will be reacquainted at Cusack Park on January 26th when Clare and Kilkenny clash for the first time since meeting in last season’s All-Ireland semi-final. Throw-in is at 2:00 pm and GAA fans have a long season of big clashes to look forward to in the 2025 National Hurling League.
Clare frequently got the better of Kilkenny on their journey to the double last season. They got the better of the Cats three times in 2024. Can Kilkenny gain some revenge in their season opener, or will the Banner Men come back to haunt their division rivals again?
Clare vs Kilkenny Head-To-Head and Key Stats
These sides last met in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Finals in July 2024. Clare mounted a remarkable comeback after trailing 2-12 to 0-12 in the 47th minute against Kilkenny. The Cats dominated early, scoring points at will. Cian Kenny, Paddy Deegan, and David Blanchfield put points up to send Kilkenny surging in front. Aiden McCarthy and David Reidy kept Clare in the game but a goal from Eoin Cody late in the first half sent Kilkenny into the break up 1-10 – 0-8.
The Banner Men fought back upon the restart. McCarthy, Peter Duggan, David Fitzgerald, and Shane O’Donnell scored to get within touching distance. However, Kilkenny pulled further away through goals from Billy Ryan and TJ Reid. They had a healthy 2-16 – 0-18 lead by the 58th minute and looked on course for a famous win.
However, Clare never gave up and reduced the deficit before Mark Rodgers equalised and McCarthy finally gave Clare the lead for the first time. Kelly’s injury-time goal provided a safety net, sending Clare to the final after an incredible comeback win.
Kilkenny had an excellent season but made a habit of falling agonisingly short when it mattered. They finished second in NHL Division 1A, two points behind Clare. The Cats dismantled Limerick in the semis to reach the final, meeting their nemesis,’ Clare. That was one of three humblings they received from the Banner Men last season.
Kilkenny fell short in a 3-16 – 1-20 defeat at FBD Temple Stadium. However, they did manage to find provincial success winning the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship for a fifth straight year. Eoin Cody was the star forward for Kilkenny last season and will no doubt feature heavily again in 2025. He ended 2024 with 32 points (3-23) in the NHL.
Clare enjoyed a fantastic 2024 season. The Banner Men completed the league and All-Ireland double for the first time in their history. They finished top of NHL Division 1A, winning four games and drawing one in one of their most impressive campaigns in recent years.
Clare fell short in the Munster Championship, losing 1-26 – 1-20 to Limerick, but picked themselves back up for an All-Ireland medal. Their Hurling championship final game against Cork was one of the most entertaining we have ever seen, with the Banner Men eventually coming out on top after extra time, winning 3-29 – 1-34.
Aidan McCarthy finished as Clare’s top scorer last season and second overall in the league. He scored 42 points (2-36) in the National Hurling League, averaging seven points per game. His game against Kilkenny saw him net the second overall highest scoring game by a player in 2024, notching 16 points (2-10).
Clare vs Kilkenny Predictions
Kilkenny dominated hurling for a decade and a half at the turn of the century. They have struggled to reach those heights again since, going without an All-Ireland championship for nearly 10 years. However, they have been consistently competitive in the National Hurling League, reaching the Division 1 semi-finals in each of the last three seasons. Clare knocked them out at that stage last season and will be out for revenge in their season opener.
They will not find an opponent as tough as Clare on opening day. The Banner Men did the double last season, claiming the NHL title and All-Ireland Senior Hurling championship. This is one of the best Clare teams we have seen in years and they will be confident of matching their achievement from last season. Our GAA prediction is for Clare to start with a win in their opening game of the season.
Clare has excellent experience in a squad full of players who live for competitive games like this one. Tony Kelly is starting his 13th season with Clare and they will rely on him as a leader. The former Hurler of the Year can orchestrate in midfield and attack with excellent vision and passing. He is one of the most skilful players in the league and will be the key to unlocking this Kilkenny defence.
Alongside Kelly, players like Shane O’Donnell, who has a knack for scoring crucial goals, and John Conlon, a powerful presence in the middle of the field, will also play vital roles. Clare will control the tempo of the game and use speed and flair to carve open spaces in the Kilkenny back-line. They have several players who could wind up on our list of the best hurlers of all time.
TJ Reid is still going strong at Kilkenny, and Clare must keep him quiet. Arguably one of the best players in the sport’s history, any team with Reid will boast a formidable attack. His scoring ability, especially from frees, will be a focal point of Kilkenny’s attacking game. Clare must have a defensive game plan for the centre forward.
Kilkenny will probably base their approach for this match on their discipline, organisation, and strong defensive structures. Players such as Richie Hogan and Eoin Murphy will provide leadership, and their experience in tight games will be invaluable. Defensively, Kilkenny will rely on their sturdy full-back line. Huw Lawlor will need to be sharp to deal with Clare’s speed.
Both teams will be well aware that this clash will set the tone for the early part of the season, and each will want to start strong. Clare’s speed and attacking intent will test Kilkenny’s defence, but Kilkenny’s discipline and battle-hardened approach will counteract that threat. Clare’s key to victory will be maintaining possession and creating goal-scoring opportunities. This will be a very close game, but Clare should have enough to make the most use of key moments and swing the result in their favour.
Clare vs Kilkenny Betting Tips
Match Result
This game is going to be very tight, which is reflected in the GAA Hurling betting markets. Both teams are neck and neck at EVS with our online bookmaker to win this game. We are sticking with our prediction for a Clare victory. The home advantage helps give them an edge in what should be a game of fine margins. A €10 stake on either side to win returns €20.
Winning Margin
We think Clare will win this match, but it is unlikely to be by any more than a score. All three meetings between these sides last season saw them separated by no more than three points. We like a bet on Clare to win by 1-3 points, worth 7/2. A bet on Kilkenny in the same market is also worth 7/2 if you think the visitors can get on over on their division rivals.
Goalscorers
TJ Reid is good to go again for another season. There was speculation surrounding the 37-year-old’s career at the end of last year but the second all-time championship scorer will lace his boots for Kilkenny again in 2025. He is still one of the most clinical finishers in the sport and will be Kilkenny’s main man in attack. Reid will be one of the favourites to get on the scoreboard in the National Hurling League betting markets and we like a bet on the icon to score in this game. He scored 16 points in total in his three appearances against Clare last season.
Black Cards
Fine margins or giant chasms can decide hurling matches where two great sides go head-to-head. If there was going to be a sizeable gap between these great clubs, it would stem from the referee getting involved. Betting on either team to get a red or black card in this match could be profitable, if not quite risky. Will someone overstep in the season’s opening game?
