McNamara: we had to put up a performance

HARSH words from Clare boss Mike McNamara after yesterday’s win over Waterford, describing the county’s recent displays in the Munster championship as “almost a disgrace”.

“We had to put up a performance in Munster,” said McNamara. “We’ve been close to a disgrace in Munster for a long number of years. For those of us who came up in the old school, the old way, Munster was our ambition, it was the pride and honour. We’re proud to be part of the tradition of Munster hurling and we had to put our best foot forward today. We had to. We couldn’t let it go down the line any further.”

Having seen his side beat the Munster champions by nine points, McNamara wasn’t lacking credibility. He made his name on the ferocious sessions he inflicted on the Clare team of the nineties. It was hardly surprising he put the big win yesterday down to hard work on the training field.