Lyons bemoans draw as Clare again tackle Tipp

FOR the fifth successive year, Clare and Tipperary have been paired for the first round of the Guinness Munster hurling championship.

The news did not please Clare manager Cyril Lyons, who brought his team to the All-Ireland final this year through the qualifier system after a two-point defeat in Pairc Ui Chaoimh in mid-May.

"I was hoping we would get a different team and a different venue,'' Lyons said. "After meeting Tipp for the last four years, we would have liked to meet another county. I don't know if it adds to the excitement for some people, but for me itdoesn't," he said.