Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng believes the depth of their panel was key to victory over Clare in the All-Ireland Hurling Championship semi-final, while counterpart Brian Lohan rued the officiating in an exciting Croke Park contest.
In a game that see-sawed on a number of occasions, the Cats emerged victorious on a 1-25 to 1-22 scoreline.
They go on to meet Limerick in a repeat of last year's final, seeking to stop the Treaty claiming a fifth title in six years.
Lyng said: "It was tight, again. We knew it was going to be. Clare came strong in the second half. It looked like we were under pressure. We made a few changes. That brought bit of composure on the pitch, we started to work the ball up the pitch, and worked our way back into the game.
"It was a really gusty performance. Momentum was against us. We settled the tide and got a few scores. We just about got there.
Lyng saw Clare's change of tactics coming at the start of the second half as they replaced sweeper Seadna Morey with Ian Galvin and pushed further up the field.
"I anticipated they might go back that way (no sweeper). They had a good start to the second half. They have very skilful forwards and lots of pace all over the pitch. The goal was a big change for us and got us back into the game. We saw it out then."
The Cats emptied their bench late on, with veterans like Richie Hogan, Cillian Buckley, Walter Walsh and Padraig Walsh bringing experience to the occasion at a vital point.
Lyng: "The reality is they are doing it in training week-in week-out and it isn't as if they've been brought on based on what they've done before. It's what they're doing at the moment. They're all contributing as a massive part of it.
"We have a really competitive squad. It's very hard to pick the XV. We have lads ready to come on. The effort we're asking the lads to put it, some lads will tire and go out of the game. That's natural.
"We bring on the subs, sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. Today they did. We're delighted, we know what is ahead. It's a big, big challenge but we're delighted to be there."
Clare manager Brian Lohan is disappointed but magnanimous in defeat. pic.twitter.com/2uBNBclrZw
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 9, 2023
Clare boss Lohan felt there was little in the game but a host of small factors went against his team.
Lohan explained: "I'm disappointed, disappointed to lose the game a really good opponent. They're a tough team and a very accurate one.
"In these games, you try a number of things. At half-time, we were five points down so it didn't work as well as we would have liked it to work. We decided to push up. The players played great in the second half and we were a little bit unlucky.
"Kilkenny found that little bit more energy, got scores a little bit easier and probably got frees a little bit handier than we got them. It was disappointing from our perspective.
"Everyone has tough jobs to do up here, it's a tough place to be for a referee, but maybe he [Colm Lyons] didn't have his best day today."
