Banner flies high once again

THEIR senior fortunes may be at a low ebb but the underage ranks continue to generate promise for Clare hurling.

After their U21 heroics in 2009, they have prospered at minor level for the past two seasons and collected the county’s second successive Munster MHC crown at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday. It was a historic occasion for Clare completing back-to-back triumphs and their latest was richly deserved.

The scoreboard may have proclaimed a five-point gap but in truth Clare were far superior. By the 48th minute they had stormed ahead by 1-19 to 1-7 and, despite Waterford pouncing for late goals courtesy of Adam O’Sullivan and captain Gavin O’Brien, Clare were never in danger of relinquishing their advantage.