Clare boss Daly focused on securing top-two finish

CLARE coach Anthony Daly has few complaints about the draws for the All-Ireland hurling qualifiers which sees him team grouped with Offaly, Dublin and Waterford.

The Banner County has been handed a relatively easy opener, albeit away to Dublin, but Daly will be taking nothing for granted in Parnell Park.

“The draw could have been a lot worse,” said Daly.

“Galway could have been in the same group with ourselves and Waterford, and with only two to qualify, it would have been something of a dogfight to get through.

“It’s still a very tough group. Offaly are not as bad as they were painted last Sunday against Kilkenny. Had they not got the early goals, it might have been a different match.

“It looks like we’ll play them at a neutral venue as Tullamore is undergoing redevelopment and Birr wouldn’t be big enough to hold the crowd.

“That would even things out a bit and with Waterford at home in our last game, we have every incentive to top our group which would give us a slightly easier game in the quarter-finals.”

Tipperary football coach Seamus McCarthy described their pairing with Westmeath as akin to “going from the frying pan into the fire”.

“We’ve had to play the Munster and All-Ireland champions and now the Leinster champions.

“It’s doesn’t get any harder for us. But we’ll take in our stride. It’s all part of the learning process.”

Waterford travel to Drogheda for their game with Louth, but are boosted by the availability of Shane Walsh and Gary Hurney.

“Had we been at full strength for the Munster championship game against Clare, we’d have beaten them,” said county PRO John Jackson.

“Now that we have a full squad, we’ll have no fear of playing Louth despite having to do so in their own back yard. A fair bit of preparation has been done since the Clare game and we’ll travel with confidence.”

Offaly are doubly engaged, against Waterford in hurling, and Carlow in football, with both games fixed for Dr Cullen Park.

“After’s Sunday’s mauling by Kilkenny in the Leinster hurling championship, the best we can hope for against Waterford is to try to keep the scoreline down,” said Offaly vice-chairman Pat Teehan.

“If we play with a bit more fire and passion, we’ll give Waterford a good run for their money.”

Laois couldn’t have asked for a tougher game just six days after a heavy defeat by Wexford in the Leinster championship. They play Galway in Portlaoise, but it’s unlikely home advantage will count for much here.

“We have no injuries from last Sunday, which is a blessing of sorts”, said county PRO Marcella Daly, “but we are unlikely to get anything soft from Galway. Limerick are in the same group, and it’s going to be very difficult to get one of the qualifying positions, but we’ll have a good go of it.”