Clare’s resurgence leaves Limerick clash too close to call

IF THIS were both Clare and Limerick’s first championship outing of the season, I’d be going for Limerick here, with very little hesitation.

All-Ireland finalists last year, and deservedly so despite the critics’ carping, I have great respect for the way this team is prepared mentally and psychologically by the dynamic duo of Richie Bennis and Gary Kirby, and prepared physically by the ultra-professional Dave ‘D’Arcy’ Moriarty.

But while Limerick are the last team in the country to go into provincial championship action (Galway are absolved, as there’s no Connacht championship), Clare already have one round under their belts, and a good round it was. Their destruction of Waterford wasn’t the freak that a lot of commentators seem to feel it was.