CLARE have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s Munster Hurling Championship semi final against Tipperary.
Manager Brain Lohan told The Clare Champion that forward Shane O’Donnell is still out but is “making progress” in his recovery from a concussion sustained prior to the league game against Kilkenny.
Other than that Lohan is expected to be able to call on the same panel of players that won impressively against Waterford on Sunday.
That includes talisman Tony Kelly who was again outstanding against Waterford.
The Ballyea sharpshooter appeared to go pull up in the game’s final minutes but Lohan says Kelly is fit and ready to go against Tipp.
On the factors behind last week’s impressive victory, Lohan pointed to the players’ pre-match mentality and desire make a statement early on.
“I suppose we arrived to the ground with a good level of intensity, a good level of hunger, among the players and that was reflected out on the field.
“They wanted to make a statement early on and they made a statement early on when we managed to build up that lead,” he said.
He continued, “That lead was crucial towards the latter part of the game. Waterford tore back into it in the final quarter. They were always going to come strong.
“It’s a Munster championship game and when you’re up against opposition like that you’re not going to have it all your own way. Obviously there will be things we will look do better on Sunday.”
Clare go into Sunday’s clash in Limerick with momentum on the back of a four game winning streak but Tipperary, the 2019 All-Ireland champions, have the tools to put all that improvement to the most rigorous of tests.
“We know their strengths, how good their forwards can be or potentially how good they can be. It’s going to be a big challenge for our defenders. They have such strength and power all the way through their back-line. You have guys with a few All-Ireland medal as in their pockets. It’s another serious challenge,” Lohan added.
If Clare are to beat Tipp and stay in the hunt for a Munster title, then reducing the wide count and making sound decisions under highly pressurised conditions will be key.
Of the areas Clare can improve on from last week, Lohan said, “The most obvious thing is our decision making, shot selection and accuracy in front of goal.
“To hit so many wides is disappointing. But look, it’s the Munster hurling championship. It’s hard to put everything over the bar! It’s tough out there. I wouldn’t be beating up the lads too much over that.”

by Ronan Judge