Saturday July 28

All Ireland SHC Semi-Final

Clare v Galway, Croke Park, 5pm

Amazingly Clare make their first Croke Park Championship appearance since Shane O'Donnell blasted a hat-trick of goals to win a dramatic All Ireland Final replay in 2013.

In the intervening years Clare have endured plenty of summer heartbreak, but there has been a steely determination about Donal Maloney and Gerry O'Connor charges throughout the current campaign.

The provincial decider loss to Cork was a setback, but Clare's response against Wexford at Pairc Ui Chaoimh was adequate.

Tony Kelly and John Conlon have both struck 1-22 each in six 2018 games so they bring form and class to GAA headquarters.

Galway, though, journeyed through Leinster impressively before drawing a tense final with Kilkenny. How Galway hurled in the replay bodes well especially the fact that Jonathan Glynn's presence and paw caused such consternation.

Clare will need to cope with Galway's aerial bombardement because goalkeeper James Skehill can drill deliveries from deep.

At the opposite end the duel between Conlon and Daithi Burke is eagerly anticipated. Burke's relevance to the Galway cause shouldn't be underestimated, but Galway know how relevant Conlon has been for Clare.

O'Donnell has played the role of selfless creator, but his display in the Quarter-Final offered a reminder of his ability to score too.

Galway's defence, anchored by Gearoid McInerney, must be mindful of Conlon's strength and Tony Kelly's willingness to drift into space.

Conor Whelan's self sufficiency and Cathal Mannion's class remain key components for Galway, who know that Clare have flourished on the Jones Road stage previously.

CLARE: Donal Tuohy; Patrick O'Connor, David McInerney, Jack Browne; Seadna Morey, Conor Cleary, Jamie Shanahan; Colm Galvin, Cathal Malone; Peter Duggan, Tony Kelly, David Reidy; Podge Collins, John Conlon, Shane O'Donnell.

GALWAY: James Skehill; Adrian Tuohy, Daithi Burke, John Hanbury; Padraic Mannion, Gearoid McInerney, Aidan Harte; Johnny Coen, David Burke; Joseph Cooney, Joe Canning, Jonathan Glynn; Conor Whelan, Conor Cooney, Cathal Mannion.