Old stagers square up to great pretenders

TOMORROW’S Clare SHC Final at Cusack Park could be pitched as the battle of the has-beens versus the wannabes.

Starting this campaign, St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield were seen as old warhorses, great champions in their day, culminating in a glorious All-Ireland club title in 1999. Those days are now quickly receding.

Kilmaley meanwhile, had their own aspirations, but without a senior title since 1985 would have been equal long-shots. Yet here they are, totally on merit, St Joseph’s having toppled reigning champions, Clarecastle, in the semi-final, Kilmaley accounting for Sixmilebridge, 2002 champions, in their quarter-final.