"We didn't show our best form on the day"- Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng

Clare manager Brian Lohan shakes hands with Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng shake hands after the All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final at Croke Park. Picture: Piaras O'Midheach/Sportsfile

placeholder image — Clare manager Brian Lohan shakes hands with Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng shake hands after the All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final at Croke Park. Picture: Piaras O'Midheach/Sportsfile

Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng was left to rue a disappointing second half display as Clare rocked the Cats to reach a first All-Ireland Final since they last won it back in 2013.

Not scoring at all in the last 17 minutes of the contest accurately summed up Kilkenny's difficulties as the Banner County made up for defeat against the Noresiders at the semi-final stage in the last two seasons.

"We were in a strong position when we got the second goal and we didn't kick on when we should have and we tried to make a few changes to get a spark back into us but the momentum was with Clare and the reality is that they won all the battles.

"Clare attacked a little better than us in that second half and when you are winning all the battles around the pitch as they were, we struggled on the back of it and they deserved it".

The Leinster champions looked in control of proceedings when leading by five points at the break and six when Billy Ryan netted their second goal but they had no answer to Clare's final quarter flourish.

"It's disappointing as we tried to wrestle the mometum back that we lost in the second half and in fairness to the lads they never stopped trying as their effort was outstanding but it's a tough one as were in a very strong position and we just didn't play well enough to see it out.

"I'm just disappointed overall and even though we were six points ahead at one stage, I thought there was aspects of our play that was a little bit off so that a little disappointing", the Kilkenny boss added.

On an afternoon where Adrian Mulllen didn't look 100% and the forward line were well marshalled by a defiant Clare backline, Lyng felt they didn't quite hit the heights required to reach another final.

"You have to give Clare credit aswell as their forwards really came into the game and they got on top of us and like I said we found it really hard to stop their momentum but they are a top class team.

"From our own point of view we're just disappointed as I felt we didn't show our best form on the day".