Anthony Daly: It was no way for players to be treated before the biggest day of the club year

Clare GAA chiefs were forced to delay the start of their senior hurling championship final by 15 minutes due to large crowds outside Cusack Park

Supporters await the delayed start of the Clare SHC final at Cusack Park yesterday. Picture: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

I thought I was being nice and clever before yesterday’s county final, thinking I’d park up the town and casually sneak into Cusack Park through the lower gate, especially when I knew most of the crowd would be coming in from the east side of the town.

I was wrong. The gate was closed. As I made my way up to the main entrance, the queues were nearly back to the Friary. It was no surprise when the announcement came over the loudspeaker. ‘Match delayed 15 minutes.’