‘Tough draw’ as Cork begin title defence against Clare

CORK, the All-Ireland and Munster SHC champions, begin their title defences with a provincial semi-final against Clare.

The sides last met in August’s All-Ireland semi-final, when the Rebels won by a point, 0-16 to 0-15.

Cork’s Jerry O’Connor is relishing the pairing: “It is a tough draw and not one you would have wanted. But then who would you want in the Munster championship. They are all tough teams. Clare will be right up for this one. They feel they’ve left an All-Ireland semi-final behind them and I think we will see all their experienced men back for one more year. The positives for us is that a game like this will have us focused from early on in the year.”