Cork’s superior firing power and all-round work rate should see them through

Before big contests, individual opponents are sometimes measured against each other with a view to determining the outcome. If this operation was carried out for Cork and Clare tonight the Rebels would be ahead.

Clare’s wing backs Brendan Bugler and Pat O’Connor would be scored higher than their opponents, while Pat Donnnellan, Séadna Morey, Tony Kelly and John Conlon might shade it or tie depending where they play. But this is a paper exercise based on an individual’s perceived ability and it takes no account of the collective motivation, general team play, application or a team’s work ethic.

Clare are a young, enthusiastic team but they lack size by intercounty standards. They bid to perfect a high level support game to break down opponents. This requires huge work rate. The physical and mental effort required for their win over Galway last weekend may have taken its toll as it’s difficult to get up for big games two weeks in a row — as Tyrone footballers found out last week.