Anthony Daly: Kilkenny always turn up, Clare came home on their shields

Clare lost with huge pride on Sunday. Galway lost with zero honour the previous day. Clare came home Sunday night on their shields. Galway came home on Saturday without them

BATTLE: Eoin Cody, right, and John Donnelly of Kilkenny in action against David McInerney, left, and Rory Hayes of Clare during the All-Ireland SHC semi-final at Croke Park. Pic: Daire Brennan/Sportsfile

When I was the Dublin manager, before we went into battle for a big championship game, I often referenced the famous Spartan quote: "Come back with your shield - or on it”.

It was supposed to be the parting cry of mothers to their Spartan warrior sons, who wanted those sons to die honourably on the battlefield. Of course it’s never right to compare sport with war and death but we always tried to impress that code in Dublin where, even if you’re beaten, be beaten with pride and honour.