The Cats were quick off the mark, with points from Henry Shefflin and Eddie Brennan. Ten-and-a-half minutes into the game Brennan once more found the target goaling from a Shefflin pass. John Hoyne did well to block down Seanie McMahon and point Kilkenny 1-03 to no score ahead after 15 minutes.

Clare drew first blood on 17 minutes with a Niall Gilligan free before Brennan once more split the posts to further Kilkenny's lead.

From then until the break, matters were tight but a resurgence from Clare saw them retreat at half-time four points in arrears.

A long-range Sean McMahon pointed free and another from play by the in-form James O'Connor kept Clare in touch.

Early in the second half Gilligan reduced the deficit with another free but Shefflin at the other end kept the Cats in front with two pointed frees either side of a Gilligan free.

DJ Carey then landed a 65 to make it 1-07 to 0-05 after 47 minutes.

Four Kilkenny wides in as many minutes gave the strong Clare following some hope and when O'Connor and Tony Griffin pointed in succession, the lead was reduced to a single goal.

Carey came up trumps for the Cats once more ten minutes from time with a pointed free and then team captain Martin Comerford with two scores left his side 1-10 0-07 in front with six minutes remaining.

A magnificent Kilkenny defence kept an eager Clare attack at bay and only two points in the final minutes from McMahon and David Ford was all the Bannerman could muster.

Carey produced the insurance point deep into injury time with a magnificent long-range strike to secure a victory that sees Kilkenny face their neighbours Waterford in the semis next Sunday.

Ace marksman Henry Shefflin had to retire with a facial injury which puts some doubt about his appearance in Croke Park next weekend.