Sports

Sunday’s 13-point loss to Tipperary was much more significant than just being another championship defeat. Whether people like to admit it or not, championship defeats are not a new experience for Clare hurling supporters. The pain of this defeat will subside as it always does, but when it does, it leaves a trail of questions behind it. Why did Clare allow Tipperary to win it as they pleased? Why was Tony Kelly spending spells in the full-back and full-forward line while the middle third was being torn to shreds? Why did Clare opt to employ a sweeper when chasing a game with a gale force breeze at their backs? Why could we not trouble the Tipperary goal despite having one of the most dangerous attacks in the game? How did Clare not react sooner to curb the influence of John O’Dwyer? Why did Clare continually launch possession down on top of Paudie Maher and make a hero out of him? …

On this week’s podcast: Derrick Lynch is joined by Joe Garry, Fergie O’Loughlin & Peter O’Connell to review the sporting weekend.

Munster SHC: Clare 0-17  Tipperary 3-21 A powerful display from Tipperary saw them cruise to a 13 point win over Clare in Cusack Park. It leaves the Banner fighting for their championship lives ahead of a trip to take on Limerick next weekend. Jason Forde opened scoring with a free from midfield in the first minute but was closely followed by a cracker from Diarmuid Ryan. Both teams settled quickly and Seamie Callanan and Podge Collins added their names to the scoreboard to make it two apiece. David Fitzgerald then fired over a point from midfield before Seamie Callanan notched his first score. Bubbles O’Dwyer has been a man in form this year and he soon sent over a beauty to see Tipp lead early. Peter Duggan then opened the shoulders and bisected the posts from 70m out to make it four points each in an enthralling encounter. Seamie Callanan and Brendan Maheer then edged Tipp ahead before a Duggan …

Clare picked up their second win of the Munster MHC campaign with a strong performance against Tipperary in Cusack Park to register a 2-13 to 1-9 victory. Clare led at the break by 1-5 to 0-4 having played against a stiff breeze in the opening period. The sides were level on three different occasions in the first quarter with Cian Galvin’s long range free leaving it at 0-3 each after 15 minutes. A Keith Smyth free opened the scoring for Clare with Tipperary captain John Campion cancelling it out. The impressive Tony Butler landed a good score from distance with Jack Leamy answering from a similar distance out. Colm Fogarty punished sloppy Clare defending to give them the lead for the first and only time of the opening period, but Galvin nailed a brilliant strike from almost 60 metres out to restore parity. From here Clare dominated, but both sides were wasteful as they registered nine wides each in what …

Crusheen’s Cian Dillon announced his retirement from inter-county hurling earlier this year after a stellar career with the Banner that saw him pocket a Celtic Cross in 2013. Dillon was a tough-as-teak defender and believes that the Clare side that take to the field on Sunday must be of a similar constitution if they are to reign victorious over Tipperary. “The squad will be happy with the manner of the win the first day, I think. They will be disappointed that they didn’t kick on in the last 10 minutes, but they will still feel like there is plenty still in the tank. “There will be no illusions about the task at hand and the task the management face is to get the players back grounded and focussed on the task at hand. They will have been happy with the three-week break and the fact they are now facing into their first home game, so there are plenty positives from …

Clare’s minor hurlers got their Munster championship off to a flyer with an away victory over Waterford and they now face a tough battle against neighbours Tipperary this afternoon. The youngsters will aim to get the day off to a perfect start as they are the curtain-raiser for the senior game, and manager Fergal Lynch says his squad are flying since their opening win. “We put a huge effort into getting ourselves right for the first game as we thought we would have to win at least one away game if we were to qualify, but our target now is to push on and make sure we’re ready for Tipperary this weekend. “We have looked at the strengths of Tipperary but we have also looked at our own strengths and what we are trying to do is get the very best from our own players. Now, whether we go with an extra defender or play with a flat 15, we …

33 years have passed since Clare hosted Tipperary in Cusack Park for a senior Munster championship clash and the welcome they receive this Sunday is likely one they won’t forget in a hurry. Both teams are thus far undefeated in this year’s championship and both will be desperate for it to remain that way. All-Ireland-winning player Colin Ryan believes if Clare play their cards right, they have what it takes to remain the sole undefeated team in Munster. “Clare did what they needed to do in Walsh Park and got the win and, obviously, Tipperary have been massively impressive against a below-par Cork and a Waterford team that struggled when Conor Gleeson was sent off. They have started the championship really well and are showing a rejuvenation in form, but I think both teams will know where they are at after this weekend. “Clare will know that the win in Walsh Park was invaluable. Due to that win, regardless of …

Clare v Tipperary in the hurling championship is the type of rivalry that drags up all kinds of memories. Nicky’s smile, David Forde’s rattler, Jamesie’s point in Croke Park, Loughnane’s green bench, Davy’s save, Ollie’s celebrations, Davy’s penalty in ‘99, and most recently Ian Galvin’s goal. The beauty of the new Munster championship without question is the home fixture element, which we saw manifest itself at its peak when Limerick came to Ennis last year. Anyone who was lucky enough to get into Cusack Park for that game will remember that atmosphere for a long time to come, even if some us fell victim to the Burco boiler that caused mayhem with the electricity supply as the minor game reached its crescendo. There was nearly enough electricity around the crowd to make up for it, and this Sunday will be no different. There are always plenty side stories when these two sides meet and events of the last 12 months …