Brian Lohan: 'Obviously, we're going to get criticised now for how we played defensively'

“From an offensive point of view, putting up two goals and 33 points, I don't think we have ever scored anything like that, so it was a great display from our lads going forward,” said manager Lohan post-match.

“And obviously, we are going to get criticised now for how we played defensively, but I'd give a fair amount of credit to Waterford for the forward line that they have. They are a good forward line and they will do damage.” 

That said, they know some of those green flags were avoidable.

“Pulling out the hair with some of the goals we conceded, some of the frees we conceded. It was a frustrating kind of display, but you'd have to just admire the way that we attacked the game and went after it and got really good scores and put up a really good score.” 

Clare have a better idea of where they are at now. After a campaign in Division 1B, there were concerns about the step up. They now hope to carry this attacking form into a fixture against Limerick in two weeks’ time.

"I suppose there was a little bit of that. We were wondering how we would handle the intensity. They were playing at a different level to what we were playing at for the whole year.

“But I think our lads are experienced enough. We've played in the Munster Championship and we know what it is about. We always ask big questions of our lads coming into games and they nearly always respond. They responded again today.” 

David McInerney should be back for that fixture. Meanwhile, Waterford don’t expect to have Conor Prunty available for their home tie against Tipperary next week as he remains sidelined with a quad injury. Tadhg de Búrca was withdrawn from the matchday squad before throw-in.

Waterford boss Peter Queally pointed to a late goal chance when Aaron O’Neill almost linked up with Dessie Hutchinson as crucial.

“I suppose on reflection, I have to hand it to Clare. I thought when we put them under the cosh the last 15 minutes, every time we got a score or a goal and got a bit of momentum, I thought they picked off some magnificent scores. I thought their execution was very good in that period as well.

“Probably one area that we might have left ourselves down in a bit was our shooting and their execution. We had a few wides, but some of them were kind of wides we expected the score.” 

In the plus column, Austin Gleeson came on to hit two points.

“He was busy. His striking, his hurling, his wrists are still the same.

“His vision, his leadership. It was a great contribution from Austin, in fairness.” 

Stephen Bennett was sensational, finishing with 3-12. The task now for the Déise is to try to get more from those around him. From minimal possessions, Dessie Hutchinson mined four points. Jamie Barron clipped two. Seán Walsh took his goal superbly.

But Bennett is their leader.

“We can't overstate it.

“It is not even the scores; it is his physical presence, his work-rate. He is an absolute warrior. And again, I'm probably saying this with the last two years, if people knew what he puts his body through and to be able to go out there and put in a performance like he did and work his butt off like he did there today, he is an incredible player.” 

The only game Waterford won in the 2025 championship was their opening one against Clare. They’ve had moments elsewhere and rallied admirably on Sunday but what they need above all else currently is a win to vindicate plenty of hard work.

“That is why we are so disappointed here,” said Queally.

"We put so much into today's game and we are probably within grasp there of getting at least a draw out of it. Unfortunately, we didn't.

“But we just have to dust ourselves off now and come back as hard as ever next week.”