Clare outgun improved Laois

Clare had just too much power and speed for Laois at Portlaoise yesterday, but when one recalls the dreadful championship humiliation suffered by the Moores at the hands of Cork in the same venue last summer, there was plenty to be positive about formanager, Teddy McCarthy.

The Corkman won’t delude himself into thinking his side was ever going to win this, but they remained competitive right to the end and that represents progress.

Clare boss, Davy Fitzgerald was grumbling about the performance of referee, Eamon Hasson but will surely also have concerns about some of the poor options taken by his players who seemed content with being in cruise mode for much of the game.