'The afternoon they were relegated was the day Miltown-Malbay decided there’d be no more excuses'

Six years ago Miltown-Malbay, who contest tomorrow’s Munster Club SFC final against Dr Crokes, were relegated to the intermediate ranks in Clare.

It was a low-scoring grind on that October day in Cooraclare with Lissycasey preserving their place at the top-table on a scoreline of 1-7 to 0-8. Gordon Kelly, a member of the Miltown-Malbay defence then and now, is absolutely certain the West Clare club would never have come within touching distance of a provincial senior final but for that defeat on a cold Saturday afternoon in 2012.