Clare seeking first Munster final place since 2000

CLARE haven’t managed to beat Limerick in a Munster Senior Football Championship game since 1984. Although the counties haven’t met that often in championship since Clare’s 2-5 to 0-10 replay win in Limerick 28 years ago, Limerick won their most recent meetings in 2009, 2006, 2003 and in 1988.

Between 1946 and 1979, Clare remained unbeaten in meetings between the Shannonside neighbours in Munster Championship.
So while statistics will mean nothing to either set of players once the ball is thrown in at 7.30pm in the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday, the almost three-decade championship trend firmly indicates that Limerick have a significant edge over Clare.
Clearly Clare will feel they are capable of eking out a badly need win over Limerick this weekend. To achieve that, they will have to produce a high tempo, disciplined display. They will surely be very keen to kick the first couple of scores bearing in mind that Wicklow goaled after just 47 seconds in Clare’s decisive league game in Aughrim eight weeks ago. In a tight game, a lapse in concentration can often decide the result.
While Clare weren’t due to name their team until Wednesday evening, they will definitely start with Joe Hayes in goals. His league deputy, Peter O’Dwyer is still injured and has been replaced by Kilrush goalkeeper, Tony Burke.
Hayes is likely to be fronted by Kevin Hartnett, Shane McNeilis and Laurence Healy, while the regular half-back line of Martin McMahon, Gordon Kelly and John Hayes will remain in place.
Gary Brennan and Ger Quinlan will again link up in midfield, with Shane McGrath, Enda Coughlan and Shane Brennan the probable starting half-forward line, now that Graham Kelly has been ruled out with an arm injury. Coughlan’s return to the panel is a huge boost to Clare and will add mobility and scoring threat to the forward division. The inside line will very probably feature Rory Donnelly, David Tubridy and captain Alan Clohessy, with Michael O’Shea, Timmy Ryan and Niall Browne also in contention to either start in attack or at least get a run at some stage. Equally David Russell could have a significant contribution to make if the veteran Kilkee man is introduced at either midfield or in the half-forward line. Conor Talty, brought on at half-time against Wicklow, could have been a viable option but a back injury has curtailed his preparation. Another of the Aughrim substitutes, O’Curry’s Seán Haugh, will be an option in defence if Clare need to make a change there.
Amongst Limerick’s main threats will be team captain Ger Collins, Seamus O’Carroll, Ian Ryan and Eoghan O’Connor. Clare senior hurling trainer Paul Kinnerk will line out at midfield, with Jim O’Donovan, Seán Buckley and possibly John Cooke all vying for a berth either there or in the half-forward line.
Clare’s attack can put a decent score on the board, with all six starters capable of creating plenty of space with sharp runs and taking scores. The half-back line is a solid unit although occasionally, they are inclined to attack in unison, thereby leaving too much space in front of the full-back line. In the event of being caught on the break, as happened against Wicklow in the opening minute, that space could leave the full back line exposed. So Clare will have to be defensively exceptionally disciplined.
The full-back line will have to back themselves and play from the front, not allowing the Limerick forwards to gain possession before the full-back start defending.
The fact that Limerick are at home and have already played Waterford in the Munster Championship will help them. Yet most of the Clare players have experience of playing at the Gaelic Grounds, whether with the county senior team, at county underage level or with Kilmurry Ibrickane.
The venue won’t win it. Desire, discipline and calm decision-making will. Clare are sure to be exceptionally motivated but surely Limerick will be equally determined. Clare haven’t played in a Munster final since 2000 and reaching that stage would be a massive achievement.
Still, Limerick have a significantly better recent championship record. Remember, they made the last eight last year, while Clare haven’t won a championship game since 2008 and have only beaten Waterford in Munster since 2001. As committed as Clare are sure to be, Limerick should shade it by a few points.