Clare in control after bright start

RACING into a eight-point lead gave Clare an edge they held throughout, joint Clare manager Gerry O’Connor said after seeing the Banner side make a successful start to their title defence.
Clare were always in control in this tie but a strong finish from Waterford helped produce a final scoreline that is somewhat flattering to the Déise outfit.
“Our full-back line worked very well, while up front Cathal Malone was excellent at centre-forward and Cathal O’Connell and Davy O’Halloran also did very well.
“Malone was particularly prominent in the first half when his play brought the whole forward line into the game. His play helped create a lot of space inside for the full-forwards and it suited our players.
“Davy O’Halloran loves Thurles and always plays well there,” according to Éire Óg club man O’Connor, who is joint manager with Donal Moloney, a role they also fill with the U-21 team.
They managed the minor team for the past two seasons and steered Clare to the Munster title on both occasions. Many of the players that were part of those successful teams were involved in Sunday’s victory.
“Given the good start we got, Waterford were always fighting an uphill battle. We started really well and then went out of it. We made a lot of changes when we were well ahead and sometimes this can cause a team to lose concentration,” O’Connor said.
In addition to qualifying for the provincial final, this latest display “will give experience to those involved, experience of playing in a championship game in Thurles, which should be a big help to the players going forward”.
He said the fact they had quite a number of U-21s in action will help with the preparation for the U-21 championship. Waterford will also be Clare’s opponents in that provincial semi-final, which will take place in Cusack Park on July 19.
“It’s going to be difficult to dislodge the lads who impressed out there today, particularly the full-back line,” O’Connor said.
He concluded, “In the last two or three years, since the U-21s won the All-Ireland, the fear factor of expecting to be beaten has gone”.

Final date to be confirmed
THE date for the final of the Intermediate Hurling Championship, in which Clare will play either Cork or Tipperary, will be confirmed this week.
Originally scheduled for July 18, it is expected to be changed as that is the week of the provincial U-21 semi-finals and Clare are down to play Waterford on July 19.