Who is popular today?

Clare 2-25 Wexford 2-22
A commanding opening 12 minutes that saw Clare race into a six point lead eventually stood to them as they survived a late Wexford rally to emerge with a three-point victory in this All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Qualifier played at Semple Stadium, Thurles.
Brian Lohan’s men really hit the ground running enjoying that scorching start in the sweltering heat, setting up a lead that they would never subsequently surrender despite the best efforts of Wexford’s surging finish that once again fell short.
Indeed Wexford must once again settle for the bridesmaid tag, but they will be remembered for having lost out in an enthralling game, similar to their provincial defeat to Kilkenny.
Conor McDonald pointed Wexford in front in the opening minute, the only time they led in the game, but with David Reidy, Tony Kelly and Diarmuid Ryan on target, this was followed by a ninth minute goal from Cathal Malone with an emphatic finish, which left them leading 1-9 to 0-3 at the first water break.
Wexford managed to play themselves more into the game helped by an opportunist 22nd minute Diarmuid O’Keeffe goal, but it was Shanaher and Tony Kelly points, along with efforts from Reidy and Ryan Taylor that helped the Banner County lead 1-15 to 1-5 on the half-hour mark.
Cathal Dunbar and Lee Chin with superb points hauled Wexford back into contention reducing the deficit to 1-15 to 1-10 at the interval.
Wexford resumed with unanswered points from Conor McDonald, Rory O’Connor and Liam Og McGovern to reduce the deficit to just two, 1-15 to 1-13 by the 40th minute.
It was Tony Kelly who ended Clare’s 12-minute barren spell with Clare extending their lead to six points, but at the opposite end desperate defending denied Conor McDonald and Lee Chin as both David McInerney and John Conlon got in tremendous tackles to keep their goal intact.
Clare secured their passage through sub Gary Cooney who flicked a Tony Kelly lob past advancing keeper Mark Fanning, but Wexford eventually got the goal they craved for so long when Lee Chin latched onto a breaking ball to find the net.
It came too late however, with Clare relieved to hear the final whistle.
Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Paul Flanaghan, Conor Cleary, Rory Hayes (0-1); Diarmuid Ryan (0-1), John Conlon, Paidi Fitzpatrick; Colm Galvin, Tony Kelly (0-7, seven frees); Cathal Malone (1-1), David Reidy (0-3), Ryan Taylor (0-3); Aaron Shanagher (0-2), Aidan McCarthy (0-3), Ian Galvin. Subs: David McInerney for Fitzpatrick (half-time), Mark Rodgers (0-2) for I Galvin (48), Jack Browne for C Galvin (55), Aaron Fitzgerald for Conlon (65), Gary Cooney (1-0) for Shanagher (70).
Wexford: Mark Fanning; Gavin Bailey, Liam Ryan, Matthew O’Hanlon; Joe O’Connor, Simon Donohoe, Liam Og McGovery (0-1); Shane Reck, Diarmuid O’Keffe (1-0); Paul Morris, Lee Chin (1-12, nine frees, one 65), Rory O’Connor (0-2); Cathal Dunbar (0-5), Conor McDonald (0-2), Kevin Foley. Subs: Damien Reck for J O’Connor (46), Jack O’Connor for McGovern (47), Aidan Nolan for Morris (53), Connal Flood for Bailey(58), Mikie Dwyer for O’Keeffe (66).
Referee: Fergal Horgan (Tipperary).