A pumped Clare’s best might just be good enough

Having Dónal Óg Cusack on board is a big advantage, especially with Clare’s need to shut down Anthony Nash’s puckouts, particularly to Conor Lehane, writes Anthony Daly.

I was eight when I attended my first Munster final in 1978. I went with my brother Michael and brother-in-law, Colman. I remember the air being heavy with hope and expectation. I knew Clare were coming to win. It was a really poor game but my outstanding memory of the day was John Horgan, and his mop of blonde hair, breaking Clare hearts with his long-range frees.

The devastation amongst the Clare throngs on the way out was palpable afterwards. I remember passing the legendary ‘Pecker’ Dunne for the first time, playing the Banjo on the Railway Bridge in Thurles. The ‘Pecker’, the Lord have mercy on him, was belting out one of his old classics, probably ‘Sullivan’s John’. He was originally from Wexford but set up house in Clare. The Clare crowd always gave the ‘Pecker’ a few bob but he seemed to be well in with all counties.