Minogue delighted with Clare's win

Clare Under-21 hurling manager John Minogue admitted his delight at leading his team to their first All-Ireland final at that grade.

The Banner will meet Kilkenny in the Bord Gais Energy All-Ireland final after beating Galway on Saturday. Speaking on Hoganstand.com, Minogue said: 'There was a huge despondency in Clare with the last eight or nine months.

'There was a lot of negativity and players not playing well, question marks here and there and giving a couple of poor performances. This bunch has shortened the winter. It could have been a winter of discontent but they have brought a smile back to our supporters.'

Minogue admitted he went through the mill after a game that saw just two points separate the sides as Clare emerged 3-23 to 5-15 victors after an epic contest.

He revealed: 'The range of emotions that managers, selectors and players go through in a game like this is unbelievable.

'You're on top, you're winning, you're getting magnificent scores, then you see the opposition come back with some magnificent scores of their own. It was a real ding-dong affair.

'I'm just relieved we got there, and we were lucky to get there in the end. It was a fantastic game played in fantastic spirit by both teams.'