Maurice Brosnan: Conlon's Clare masterclass and hurling's black card theatre

John Conlon's defensive masterclass for Clare, his county's attacking resurgence, Dublin's use of direct ball, and the growing theatre around black cards in hurling feature in this week's observations

One of the strengths of Clare legend John Conlon is his breach record. Pic: John Sheridan/Sportsfile

The only abiding frustration in all of this is that none of it is new. Peter Queally said the same thing last year and he said it before he even took the Waterford manager's job. Throughout it all, not enough are listening.

The Déise boss even acknowledged his previous contributions, how he was “blue in the face” from making the case, how “the keyboard warriors” responded then and will respond again, but he was still at pains to point out six teams contesting the All-Ireland hurling championship is too few. How does such a structure truly serve the game?