Mulqueen keen to avoid favouritism

Even among seasoned hacks it’s a major point of discussion coming into the Munster SHC semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday — who should be favourites?

Even the bookies are torn, most agreeing with the pundits in making Clare slight favourites. This doesn’t sit well with Clare coach and selector Louis Mulqueen, not in the least.

“I can’t understand how favourites are chosen. We played Waterford in the first round of the Munster championship, they had nine Munster medallists, we hadn’t won a Munster championship game in five years, they had already beaten us in the league — in Ennis — yet we were favourites.”

True, but Clare have already met Cork three times this year and beaten them every time.

“We beat them here in a Waterford Crystal game after they were delayed by an oil-slick. They arrived late, got off the bus and still nearly beat us. We beat them in the league down in Páirc Uí Rinn but they blew us off the field in the first half. We had a great second half, won. The relegation game went to extra-time but they (nearly) had us beaten after 70 and that’s when the game is played, not in the 70 to 90 minutes of extra-time.

“Just to put things in perspective, after that game in the Waterford Crystal Brendan Bugler, our only All-Star and one of our most experienced players, came to me and said, ‘that’s the first time I’ve ever been on a winning team against Cork!’. And remember too, Cork were in the All-Ireland semi-final last year.

“Look, this is championship. The Cork team we play on Sunday will be totally different to the teams we played earlier in the year.”

The big question is why does it matter? Why, in Ireland, is the tag of favourites seen as something to be avoided at all costs? Someone has to be favoured, someone has to be tipped as likely winners?

“True, but to win under pressure is that bit harder and favourites often fall because of that.”

Nevertheless it’s one of the factors that Mulqueen and Clare will have to deal with this week, the mantle of favourites. It’s a mantle this particular team hasn’t worn very often. But if they fulfil the promise so many see in them it’s a mantle they will have to become accustomed to and soon.

No better man than Mulqueen himself to prepare them for that. He has seen the bad times but he has also seen the great, the team of the ’90s. Now he again sees hope for Clare.

“What I see that’s really encouraging is the spirit. This team never gives up, even when we’ve been down against top teams with minutes to go, as we saw against Cork in the relegation final.

“These guys have won at minor and U21 but it’s a big step up to senior. If they’re given time they will evolve, I can see that in them, they have the spirit, the confidence, the attitude, the workrate, the commitment.

“There are no guarantees that any of us will win an All-Ireland because of all that work – every county is doing it, producing talented players. Experience is the key thing, winning experience preferably, and that’s what Kilkenny have over us all.”

They’ll get a little more of that experience this Sunday, including the additional test of dealing with favouritism. If they’re going to be winners, they’re going to have to embrace that mantle. Doesn’t do Kilkenny any harm, does it?