Unwanted match proves beneficial

IT was a game neither side really wanted because of its proximity to their championship meeting in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday fortnight.

But despite that, the hurlers of Tipperary and Clare both claimed a benefit of sorts from their Allianz NHL tussle at the weekend, with the Munster rivals finding plenty of excuses for the poor mouth ahead of their massive mid May clash.

Former star Ger O’Loughlin, now a selector with Cyril Lyons (and Louis Mulqueen), didn’t

disagree entirely with the view that the Ennis affair had been more ‘shadow-boxing’, while Tipperary star Thomas Dunne readily accepted it was well off championship pace.

However, O’Loughlin admitted their display over the 70 minutes had left a lot to be desired and that with the championship looming large, Sunday’s loss came as a huge wake up call for the Banner boys. O’Loughlin conceded: “On this performance we would have a big problem if we don’t up it big-time and get our first touch in. We definitely have a lot of problems to sort out between now and the 18th.”

What happened last year, when Clare got to the All-Ireland final, is now history, he says. “Fellows are a year older with an extra year’s hurling under their belt. We have a few injuries as well and they are not helping the cause.

“Hopefully we can improve from this game and the last few weeks. But, as of now, we have a huge amount of work ahead of us. Tipp and Kilkenny are miles ahead of us and Cork probably,” he said.

The former Clarecastle corner man admitted concern over the balance of the side, as illustrated by their inability to finish a number of open goal chances at one end and their concession of scores at the other.

“While we have problems up front, we seem to have them at the back as well. We have been conceding 2-14/2-15 some days and 22 points on Sunday.

We will have to rectify that as well. Whether we can or can’t, the next fortnight will tell the tale.”

Thomas Dunne was pleased with the outcome of the game, but again stressed it had only a fraction of championship intensity.

“Both teams were a little cagey about showing their full hand and it was a long way off championship pace, to be honest,” he said.