Clare’s Munster and All-Ireland hurling ambitions have been significantly compromised by the loss of a trio of players for what appears to be the entirety of the championship season.

Yesterday in Cusack Park was a pick ‘n’ mix of everything the league can give you. High scores and stirring comebacks, spectacular goals, and lapses in concentration. Something for everyone in the audience.

Corner-back on Clare’s all-conquering teams in 1995 and 1997, but now resident across the border in Oranmore, home of Galway centre-back Gearóid McInerney, Frank Lohan is well-placed to tackle the main questions heading into tomorrow’s All-Ireland semi-final replay between the two counties.

Kerry have turned to the ultra-experienced Kieran Young to lock down the centre of defence for their crucial Super 8s clash with Kildare.

If there’s one bit of advice Gary Kirby would give John Kiely from Limerick’s last All-Ireland final appearance it would be to shelve any ideas about a fans’ night.

First All-Ireland quarter-final win in five years. First time heading back to Croke Park in five years. Redemption for a Munster final that didn’t go to plan. Visible progress — at long, long last.

For 2018 to be deemed a progressive and successful year for the Clare hurlers, then an All-Ireland semi-final has to be reached, according to Frank Lohan.

The Munster crown weighed heavy on Cork’s head last year but it shouldn’t be a burden this time around.

Let’s get the moany bits, all the more relevant after the week that was in it, out of the way quickly.

David Reidy is also named to start having had his controversial red card from the Limerick game rescinded.

Clare co-manager Donal Moloney will be on the sideline for Sunday’s Munster SHC final round game against Limerick — despite being handed down a significant suspension.

Sometimes why we love hurling gets forgotten or obscured, writes PM O’Sullivan.

Last Sunday, the Thurles version of Hawk-Eye was, regrettably, at it again.

PM O’Sullivan and Eoghan Cormican review the weekend’s hurling

PM O’Sullivan and Eoghan Cormican review the weekend’s hurling

At the finish, Michael Ryan and his three selectors stayed on the sideline where they had stood all day, heads bowed, surveying the death of a season.

Tipperary 1-21 Clare 1-23

It’s always been Leitrim for New York. Always. They may have given Galway and Roscommon frights in recent times but from the moment they entered the Connacht Championship, Leitrim have been regarded as the Exiles’ greatest chance of making history.

Limerick 4-21 Clare 0-33 (Limerick win 7-6 on frees AET)

The honours went to Waterford in this Allianz Hurling League Division 1A clash at Walsh Park yesterday, but it is important to note Clare were already guaranteed a quarter-final (pitted against Limerick).

Fitzgibbon Cup hurlers from Dublin, Kilkenny, Limerick, and Waterford will not be asked to play two games in the space of 24 hours this weekend.

Take a left inside the main entrance doors of Midleton CBS and you’ll quickly stumble upon a full board of Harty Cup player profiles.

Davy Fitzgerald admits he still feels sorry Jason Forde was suspended after an on-field exchange with the Wexford manager in last year’s Division 1 quarter-final.

UL 4-18 UCC 0-8: Hard to know which camp held greater disbelief at the final whistle.

Fitzgibbon Cup Group B: University of Limerick 3-29 - Dublin Institute of Technology 4-17: It proved all too easy for the hurlers of University Limerick in this Fitzgibbon Cup clash.

January being the month of experimentation, Conor Cleary finds himself in the unfamiliar environs of the Clare full-back line.

Clare 4-17 Cork 0-18: The Munster Council have brought forward the Munster SHL final between Clare and Limerick by one week to avoid the counties meeting on successive weekends.

Limerick 1-28 Clare 1-15 

Prior to last year’s All-Ireland U21 hurling decider, Waterford selector Paul Flynn opened up on why the grade is his favourite competition

Clare’s victory over Dublin will count for nothing unless it is backed up with a result against Waterford in their final round-robin game, according to Brendan Bugler.

Clare took a massive step away from the relegation zone in Div 1A with this narrow victory over Dublin.

Tipperary 0-28 Clare 0-21: “I’m not joking, we’re doing nothing different,” insisted Michael Ryan after this latest piece of evidence that the crown weighs lighter on Tipperary’s heads than previous times.

A savage amount of rain has fallen in the last week and I just wonder did the underfoot conditions contribute to so many injuries in Semple Stadium and Nowlan Park yesterday?

South Kerry 2-10 Austin Stacks 0-8: The sense of anticipation surrounding a first return of Kerry SFC fare to Connolly Park on Tralee’s Rock Street was punctured by a ruthless display from county champions South Kerry in Saturday’s 2nd round replay at the home of Austin Stacks.

Clare SHC quarter-finals. Champions Cratloe are out of the Clare SHC, defeated yesterday at Cusack Park by Sixmilebridge, 1-20 to 1-19.

LIMERICK 0-22 CLARE 0-19:

Clare and Limerick’s battle for Munster U21 honours features some outstanding participants...