Anthony Daly: The formguide points towards a Ballyhale-Ballygunner final. Is it that clearcut?

Slaughtneil won nine-in-a-row in Derry; Ballygunner wrapped up eight-in-a-row in Waterford; Ballyhale Shamrocks and St Thomas’ both completed four-in-a-row in Kilkenny in Galway.

GRIPPING CONTEST: Ballygunner’s Barry Coughlan battling with Loughmore-Castleiney’s Ed Connolly in the AIB Munster Club SHC semi-final at Fraher Field. Picture: Inpho/Tom Maher

The 1990s will always be remembered as a magical time in Clare, not just for the success of the county, but also for the crusade Clare clubs went on when winning six successive Munster club titles.

The championship system at that time was fierce tough on club players because it was a straight knock-out. Most players were training all year, for only the promise of one or two championship games in September. But the Clare championship was so open and so competitive, that everybody felt they had a chance.