Anthony Daly: Limerick never wilted or panicked, on the line or on the pitch

Clare lost their shape but they also seemed to lose their way.

Normally when I go to matches in Cusack Park, I find myself amongst the great unwashed in the North Stand, but I found myself in the soft seats – as Mark Landers would say – yesterday. My wife Eilís’s uncle John was home from Birmingham and we managed to get three tickets for the Ard Comhairle section. Jarlath Burns was only sitting over from me. So was Bishop Willie Walsh and the former Clare player Barry Smyth. Esteemed company.

Eoin Conroy had organised a Club Clare event beforehand so I went along with Jamesie O’Connor and Seánie McMahon. I even managed to sneak in a pint with Seanie in Lucas’ pub at the bottom of Parnell Street before we made our way to the park through the throngs in the streets.