Anthony Daly: A Clare win that was as deserved as it was needed

Allowing John Conlon — who Waterford effectively allowed play as a sweeper — to play so much easy ball was crazy stuff

Clare’s Mark Rodgers wrestles with Waterford’s Shane McNulty as Déise goalkeeper Billy Nolan grasps the sliotar. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Shortly after I had pulled into the car park at the back of Nowlan Park stand on Saturday evening at 4.55pm, the Wexford player Conor McDonald drove in beside me. I said hello to him and the handful of lads with McDonald before they strolled into the dressing rooms and I headed to the press box.

It’s still strange times, especially before big championship games, but, while there still aren’t throngs of people milling around Kilkenny City or Thurles on game-day, there is still a better feeling around than there was last winter when the atmosphere was as cold and damp as the weather.