Conor McGrath: Division 1B gave Clare momentum

Conor McGrath believes the cut-throat nature of Division 1A may have counted against Tipperary and Kilkenny in their recent meetings with Clare.

The Banner claimed a second successive Division 1A scalp in Sunday’s league semi-final and, pointing to how Waterford won the Division 1 title from Division 1B last year, McGrath suggests the second rung of the competition may have been a blessing in disguise for Clare.

“I suppose the 1A matches are so intense that maybe the 1A teams come out of the league stages a bit tired and worn out from it whereas the 1B teams are a bit fresher. I don’t know but the last couple of years have shown that anyway with Limerick winning up in Dublin as well. Division 1B will be no excuse for us come the final or the championship. It’s still a decent standard of hurling.”