Another Clare day likely as Banner make last push for glory

THE championship clash of Clare and Tipperary in the Gaelic Grounds (2.15pm), the first in 11 years, promises to be an intriguing contest which is likely to reveal much about the future direction of both counties.

Tipp are team-building and, on the evidence of what we have seen so far, are making slow progress. Clare are perceived as making one more big push for another All-Ireland title before the break-up of the team largely created by Ger Loughnane.

Tipperary have the benefit of two demanding championship games under their belts since Clare contested the league final against Kilkenny five weeks ago, but they have lost their outstanding full-back Philip Maher.

Clare showed a lot of promise over the course of that league campaign and beat virtually every team of note (except Galway) and, of course, Kilkenny in the final. It begs the question: can they be as competitive over the course of the summer?

While they excelled in their eight-point victory over Kilkenny in Nowlan Park, they lost the league final 3-20 to 0-15. Significantly, however, they had been on level terms at half time and were marginally the better side over the course of the first half.

What happened after that is a matter of conjecture, but we have been here before, during Loughnane’s reign.

The bottom line is that is as good as Kilkenny were, we didn’t see the ‘real’ Clare performing in the second half.

Tipperary selector Jack Bergin says he doesn’t take “any notice” of what happened. “You don’t really know what’s going on in the league, whether teams are trying or not. It doesn’t give any real indication for the championship,’’ he says. “I don’t think what happened in the final will have any bearing on this game.’’

He feels Tipperary run the risk of being easily dismissed unless they can build on the two Limerick games.

“Naturally, we hope that they will be a help to us, but we can’t depend on it, because Clare are going to be well prepared too. Our players will have to get out and perform. If they don’t, Clare could blow us away!’’

Everybody has their own opinion about the loss of Philip Maher and Bergin admits it’s a blow.

“But that is why we carry 30 players in the panel. We have two recognised full-backs and John Devane has proved himself with the U21 team and in the Fitzgibbon Cup. We have no qualms about bringing him back there.’’

On the credit side, John Carroll is available again and he still has something to offer the team.

Clare came agonisingly close to qualifying for the All-Ireland semi-final, running Kilkenny close in the drawn game in Croke Park before losing the replay in Semple Stadium.

Twelve months on, manager Anthony Daly is wiser and their younger players have matured. Niall Gilligan’s form has been very impressive, Andrew Quinn and Tony Carmody have stepped up their performances and Tony Griffin seems ready to deliver.

Most important of all, the two Lohans, Davy Fitzgerald, Sean McMahon and Colin Lynch continue to make huge contributions.

Clare seem much better placed to qualify for a first Munster final meeting with Cork in six years.

On his own, Eoin Kelly may not represent Tipperary’s best chance of advancing, but it’s clear that they need a big show from him if they are to upset the predictions. Clare to triumph. And they could do so in style.