Kilmallock broke a six-year hoodoo for Munster club hurling champions this afternoon when they easily overcame Portaferry of Down by 2-19 to 0-12 at Cusack Park in Mullingar.

Clare manager Eamon Fennessy admitted considerable improvement is needed ahead of next month’s semi-final showdown with Leinster champions Dublin.

Caolan Bailie scored 13 points as Down bridged a gap of 18 years to win the Ulster MHC title on Saturday.