Nine weeks after tentatively embarking on their Munster campaign under lights in Semple Stadium, it’s fitting that the wheel has turned full circle for Clare who prepare for their eighth championship tie this evening. That experience has already proven invaluable as Clare’s rollercoaster ride has gone from the pinnacle of dethroning All-Ireland champions Cork in their own patch to the flooring deflation of an agonising penalty shoot-out in the Munster Final against Tipperary. It understandably took time for the players to fully purge themselves of the residual scars of that battle but there were encouraging signs that the Banner’s swagger was on the way back against Laois last time out. Offaly also dealt comfortably with Laois in their first provincial victory since 2000 so while Clare have the momentum of eight matches in nine weeks, the Faithful County’s five week break since the Leinster Final is offset by a confidence of five successive victories that will be difficult for Clare …
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