Another home tie for Clare

Clare’s intermediate hurlers will enjoy home advantage in Cusack Park on Saturday, August 13, for their All-Ireland semi-final clash with neighbours Galway.
Last week, both counties agreed to toss for venue and this took place on Monday of this week, when Clare called correctly.
Clare manager Kevin Kennedy and his backroom team of Niall Romer and Tommy Donoghue are continuing their preparations for that tie and hope to play another challenge game next week.
Kilmaley’s Daire Keane suffered a broken wrist while playing for his club in a challenge game against Ahane last week and he will miss out on that game.
Hopes that Ballyea’s Tony Griffin was about to throw his lot in with the squad for the All-Ireland series took a dip this week when the former All- Star is understood to have indicated to management that he is unlikely to be able to answer the call, having considered their approach to him to join the panel.
They were understood to be keeping a close eye on the U-21 side’s performance in the Munster championship this week before making a call on whether or not they will approach any of those involved to join their panel.
The All-Ireland semi-final will mark Galway’s first game in this year’s title race but it’s reported that they have been quite impressive in a number of challenge games. Former All-Ireland-winning senior midfielder Steve Mahon from Kilbeacanty heads up their management team and he is well versed on Clare hurling, having helped prepare a number of Clare club sides over the years.