Sadly, the passion and skill on the field isn’t matched by the promotion of tomorrow’s replay

How the hell did Antrim reach this All-Ireland final?

A few things are bothering me about this All-Ireland final and they revolve around the complaints coming from Antrim about playing the game in Thurles and their fans feeling slighted again.

Five years ago work on the revival of Clare hurling got underway in earnest. This weekend they are reaping the rewards — and even brighter times may lie ahead.

The moment of truth has arrived, only two teams standing, the two best teams in the country. And they ARE the two best teams, they’re in this final completely on merit.

Hats off to Davy Fitzgerald and his management team for the job they’ve done with this Clare team, in the last few weeks especially.

THIS is less a game than it is tribal warfare tomorrow, two clans heading up the M7 to do battle in Croke Park. From what I’m hearing though, if it comes down to just support Limerick will have the advantage, probably the biggest crowd to ever leave the county for an All-Ireland semi-final.

As someone born and reared close to the border — just off the main road to Ennis on the banks of the Shannon in Cratloe — I grew up with first-hand experience of the Clare and Limerick rivalry.

I thought James Owens had a fine game in Croke Park yesterday, an almost flawless performance. But, crucially, he made two mistakes and, unfortunately, they were two big ones.

I’m slightly annoyed with all this talk of a handy All-Ireland there now to be won — absolutely ridiculous.