Dubs to prevail in Banner battle

‘And in the blue corner, weighing in at…’

Dalo versus Davy, that’s how this one is being billed in many quarters and there’s a certain amount of truth in that.

Neither will be inside the white lines! but both will have a significant impact on what happens in Cusack Park this evening. It’s not just in the manner they’ll have prepared their teams, it’s in the tactical battle, a game at which both are so adept.

During Anthony Daly’s time at the helm in Clare they came oh so close to doing what he had managed in his playing days.

In his first year (2004) at the helm they were beaten in a replay by five points by Kilkenny, having rattled them in the drawn game with the use of a third midfielder. A year later Cork pipped them by a point in the semi-final after Clare had dominated for a long spell. Kilkenny defeated them in the 2006 All-Ireland semi-final by eight points. In 2005 and 2006 Cork and Kilkenny would go on to win the All-Ireland titles.

A fine record then by Anthony Daly with his native county. With Dublin it’s been even better. He has guided them to their first national title in over 70 years, the Allianz Hurling League of 2011, made them into a real force in hurling, their loss to Kilkenny a few weeks ago notwithstanding.

Clare though are coming, a young team under the control of Davy Fitzgerald. They should have beaten Waterford in the Munster semi-final but lost, now they’re on home ground and have plenty of time to prepare for this clash. They’ll be well aware of the challenge they face, a more experienced 15 than themselves, and most likely Fitzgerald will have something up his sleeve. Clash of the weekend? Perhaps!

Verdict: Dublin