Prayers of the faithful ahead of Clare’s relegation clash

How exactly Clare find themselves in the unenviable situation of a relegation play-off considering their provincial championship promise that got them within a whisker of a Munster Senior title is a head-scratcher for another day.

After all, as anyone that has spiralled into any relegation play-off can testify to, it doesn’t matter what happened before or how big your reputation is, it’s all about getting a result by whatever means possible.

You see, on paper Clare should have too much for an Offaly side that have really struggled this season.

Susan Earner’s squad began with four successive National League Division 1 reverses to Tipperary, Dublin, Down and Galway by an average of 14 points and their fortunes didn’t improve for the championship as a 17 point opening round pummelling at the hands of newcomers Antrim in their own home patch set the tone for a forgettable campaign.

Losing former All-Star Michaela Morkan to retirement before a ball was pucked certainly didn’t aid Offaly’s confidence but despite being their second successive brush with relegation from the All-Ireland Senior Championship, the Faithful County have performed best when their backs have been firmly to the wall.

A case in point came in early April when managing to secure their sole competitive victory in eleven matches in a straight winners-takes-all relegation clash with Limerick by 2-7 to 1-6.

So while Clare can legitimately feel aggrieved to have been faced with an gruelling and ultimately detrimental six week championship schedule between provincial and national action and aside from a sobering reverse to Cork, there was only a puck of the ball in their remaining group ties against Tipperary, Wexford, Dublin and Waterford, the bottom line is that they need to stop the rot on Saturday.

Aside from a recent minor knee procedure for Muireann Scanlon, Clare have a clean bill of health for their last chance saloon showdown.

And if they require any further motivational tool, the fact that it takes place in Moneygall, the scene of Offaly’s last great escape in the league should ensure that Conor Dolan and John Carmody’s side will not possess a shred of complacency in their bid to retain their senior status for a 15th year.

All-Ireland Senior Camogie Relegation Final
Clare v Offaly at Moneygall GAA, Saturday 3pm
(Liz Dempsey, Kilkenny)