Clare won’t lie down and die

THERE are two ways of looking at the challenge that confronts Anthony Daly and Clare in Croke Park on Sunday in the quarter-final of the Guinness All-Ireland hurling championship.

On the basis of Kilkenny’s awesome display against Galway in the last round, it would appear intimidating. But, taking account of the fickle nature of sport - and the fact the Banner should be more comfortable competing at the same pace - there’s no guarantee the reigning champions will be able to reproduce that type of form.

If Kilkenny repeat that type of display and Clare were to under-achieve as they did big-time in their Munster championship game with Waterford, there would be only one outcome. And, it mightn’t be pretty.