Talking Points: Christy O'Connor crunches the numbers ahead of GAA club finals in Munster, Connacht and Leinster

Can Clonlara and Na Fianna upset the odds, Corofin and St Brigids have history, Kilmacud Crokes go for three in a row

UP FOR IT: Clonlara manager Donal Madden celebrates their Munster Club SHC semi final win over Kiladangan at Semple Stadiumy. 

Can first-time finalists in Munster and Leinster defy the odds – and the numbers?

On the Monday night after the 2016 Clare county final replay, the Clonlara players travelled to Ballyea for the traditional post-match county final gathering. Tony Kelly and John Conlon got chatting and Conlon spoke about Clonlara’s maiden Munster club campaign in 2008, when they lost to Sarsfields from Cork.