Clare and Tipp going all-out for Cup victory

IT may be well down the pecking order in terms of importance, but tomorrow’s McGrath Cup final affords both Clare and Tipperary the opportunity to put some badly needed silverware on the table.

Both managers have stressed how vital it is to string a run of victories together as winning breeds confidence. Clare boss John Kennedy got his new managerial career off to the perfect start with a win over Limerick on home soil last Sunday. From his own playing days with Kerry, knows only too well the value of winning.

“There is no substitute for it,” said Kennedy. “The more often a team wins the better. It gives players confidence and raises team morale up a couple of notches.”

For Tipperary boss Tom McGlinchey, tomorrow’s game affords him and his team to show that last year’s championship run was no fluke. “The disappointment of losing the Munster final to Cork last year has faded, but it’s vital for us now to maintain our progress,” said the garda PE instructor at Templemore.

“A win tomorrow is essential if we are to build on last year’s form. We are travelling to Miltown-Malbay with nothing else in mind, but knowing full-well that Clare won’t give up their title easily.”

Meanwhile, Tyrone with Allstar Peter Canavan, back in their side, look to carry too much power for Cavan in the McKenna Cup semi-final in Brefni Park.

However, in the second semi-final at Crossmaglen, All-Ireland champions Armagh won’t have matters all their own way against Monaghan. Indeed, the celebrations which usually follow an historic first All-Ireland victory, could prove their undoing. In Leinster, Longford and Louth, like Tipp and Clare, are crying out for a title.

They clash in the O’Byrne Cup final at Longford, but the Wee County look the more balanced side and are taken to win. Dublin hurlers will look to maintain their winning run when they meet Meath in the Walsh Cup at Navan. Despite being without the Birr players, Offaly should still carry too much power for Westmeath at Mullingar, while Wexford look to be too strong for an experimental Laois side at O’Moore Park.