Slow start, but episode one sets up intriguing Munster trilogy

Clare 0-22 Waterford 0-22 (after extra-time): Say it was ugly. Say it was forgettable — at least for the opening 50 minutes or so — because it most certainly was. But don’t say it didn’t matter.

To do so would be to disrespect the phenomenal effort put into yesterday’s league final. Afterwards, the dressing room corridor under the Kinane Stand resembled a cast of the walking wounded. Shane O’Donnell, visibly grimacing, hobbled one way.

If his foot injury has flared up again, he will surely not feature next weekend. Shane Bennett limped in the other direction. Brendan Bugler, Podge Collins, Colin Dunford, Shane Fives, Austin Gleeson... they all suffered too. If this was shadow-boxing, then silhouettes pack a punch.