With not a scintilla of embarrassment or prompting, Cian Lynch regales you with the story of what happened to him the time his uncle Ciaran Carey fired over one of hurling’s most iconic scores. 

Just over three months ago the Clare senior hurling management team started the new season with one aim: to create problems for themselves.

Last Saturday Dublin and Limerick were fighting it out for a place in the Allianz HL Division 1A next year, this Sunday it’s the turn of Clare and Cork to avoid the dreaded drop.

Tipperary manager Declan Ryan is relishing the prospect of an early season joust with old rivals Cork next Sunday in what could be an early season dress rehearsal for a Munster semi-final in the summer.

In a repeat of last year's Munster SHC decider, Cork and Tipperary will contest next Sunday's Waterford Crystal Cup final after wins in the competition this afternoon.