CLARE have a lot to work on ahead of their Munster semi-final clash with Cork. That’s the view of team captain Pat Donnellan who said the team will have to “up our performance for the next day”.

THE after-match media scrum surrounding Clare wing-back Brendan Bugler was every bit as suffocating as the most intense on-field moments in Thurles.

COMMENT WINNING a championship game can have a huge effect on the psyche of a young team. Almost overnight, self-belief in their collective ability radiates and suddenly they fear nobody. Winning at underage indicates potential but now this Clare panel are on the cusp of delivering where it really counts. For the first time in several years, a Clare hurling team dominated the crucial minutes of a Munster Championship game, although their opening 45 minutes were patchy and definitely not enough to deal with top counties.  

Clare 2-21Waterford 0-16 CLARE recorded a comfortable victory over Waterford in the opening round of the Munster Intermediate Hurling Championship at Semple Stadium in Thurles on Sunday.  

Clooney-Quin 2-25Éire Óg 1-14 CLOONEY-Quin picked up some much-needed points when they recorded a fully deserved win over a fancied Éire Óg side at Clooney on Monday. The town side made the short journey to their neighbours as joint leaders of Division 1A Hurling but it was their first outing since their shock loss to Ruan in the opening round of the championship.

Ballyea 5-13Kilmaley 1-13 BALLYEA were comfortable winners over neighbours Kilmaley in this league tie played at Clarecastle on Monday evening.

Newmarket Celtic A 6Corofin Harps c1 IN the lead-up to Saturday’s Clare Junior Cup final, defending champions Newmarket Celtic A turned in a number of powerful second-half performances.

Last weekend’s Limerick-based Circuit of Munster rally had a nail-biting finish at the Limerick Racecourse.