Dublin anecdote indicates how far Clare have come

That Dublin-Clare fixture became so one-sided, Eoin Cleary recalls, that they stopped counting the score...

LONG ROAD: Eoin Cleary of Clare poses for a portrait at the launch of the Munster GAA Championship at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

The conversation with Eoin Cleary is weaving its way through a league campaign full of regret for the Banner when the Clare captain takes us back to Miltown-Malbay and a challenge game against the Dubs eight years ago.

Jim Gavin’s side had taken up lodgings in Willie Clancy country for a training camp, with a challenge game against the locals part of their itinerary.