'Knockout hurling' from now on for Clare, admits selector Corbett

The Banner were overpowered by Limerick in Ennis on Sunday. 

FLAT OUT: David Reidy of Clare is tackled by William O'Donoghue of Limerick. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

There is no more room for error, it is knockout hurling from here on in. That is the view of Clare senior hurling selector Tommy Corbett after the Banner were left shell-shocked following their one-sided contest with Limerick in Ennis on Sunday (2-30 to 1-18).

Players and management have to come together to pick up the pieces ahead of their remaining round-robin games against All-Ireland champions Tipperary and runners-up Cork, both of which are away from home in FBD Semple Stadium (Saturday May 16, 7pm) and SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (Sunday May 24, 4pm).

Corbett was still trying to process what had transpired in round 3 of the Munster SHC in the immediate aftermath of an unanticipated 15-point loss to their near-neighbours.

“We came here expecting to get a performance, we didn’t get one, if you don’t get a performance you don’t get a result,” he said.

“Unfortunately we didn’t put enough scores on the board, 1-18 is not going to win you too many games at this level, so overall where we performed really well up front against Waterford we were a little bit short today.

“We were a little bit unlucky in the first half, we probably left 2-2/2-3 behind us. It obviously would have had an effect, we would have been going in at half-time a couple of points down.

“But Limerick are an awesome side, if you afford them the room that we afforded them in the first half, they are going to punish you. We just didn’t get to grips with their runners in the first half and that is basically what happened.” 

It was put to him that maybe Limerick’s need was greater because of the Treaty’s opening-day defeat to Cork, while Clare had accounted for Waterford.

“I’m not sure,” he replied. “It was game number two of four for us, it was game number two of four for them as well. Every game in the Munster championship is crucial, so I don’t know if you could put it down to need.

“You could also say they only played seven days ago and we should have been the fresher team but it certainly didn’t look that way.

“We will just have to regroup and see, have a look at it during the week and get back to training.” 

As has been the case in the five games so far, nothing comes easy.

While Cork top the table on full points, only one point separates the remaining four counties at this midway stage.

“Every game in the Munster championship is a must-win game, it is probably knockout from now on,” Corbett continued.

“But listen, Thurles in two weeks' time, looking forward to it. We don’t really mind going to Thurles, it is like a second home to ourselves.

“But Tipp will be really up for that, they will probably need a result as much as we do. As I said, we will regroup during the week and will have a look at what happened today and have a look at Tipperary’s games and plan from there.”