*Donal Moloney. Photograph: Martin Connolly It’s been a difficult and unusual period for Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor, recent heavy defeats to Tipperary and Limerick brought with it widespread criticism of them and their panel of players which management addressed in the moments following their victory over Cork.
*John Conlon and Mike Casey in battle. Photograph: Martin Connolly Stuart Holly, Editor of The Clare Echo says Clare’s hurling followers baying for blood should get a grip.
*Sean Finn competes with Aron Shanagher. Photograph: Martin Connolly 2018 was an unforgettable year for Limerick as they became All-Ireland senior hurling champions for the first time since 1973, one glitch remained in a dream campaign, that being their eleven point June defeat to Clare.
*Aaron Gillane in action with Jack Browne. Photograph: Martin Connolly Clare have lost their second successive Munster senior hurling championship game in the space of a week, falling down at the expense of All-Ireland champions Limerick in a dreadful display.
*Conor Cleary attempts to block Cian Lynch. Photograph: Martin Connolly Clare have made just one change to their starting team from that which suffered a thirteen point defeat to Tipperary on Sunday, Limerick have also made one alteration to their lineup.
*Seamus Callanan reacts quickest and buries the ball in the Clare goal despite Patrick O’Connor’s attempts. Photograph: Martin Connolly The Clare Echo’s Darach Honan reflects on Clare’s thirteen point defeat to Tipperary and looks at possible changes for Sunday’s must-win tie against Limerick.
*Patrick O’Connor under pressure from Seamus Callanan. Photograph: Gary Collins Tipperary have beaten Clare in the Munster SHC at Cusack Park for the first time since 1912 as they comprehensively dispatched of the Banner on Sunday. Tipperary 3-21 Clare 0-17 Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis
*Gerry O’Connor. Photograph: Martin Connolly Clare were happy at half-time to trail by six points with the wind in their favour but joint manager Gerry O’Connor admitted the concession of Seamus Callanan’s goal on forty minutes “knocked the stuffing” out of his side.
*Clare’s defence deal with a Tipperary attack in the 2018 Munster SHC. Photograph: Gary Collins Both Clare and Tipperary are unbeaten so far in this year’s Munster SHC, for one that will change on Sunday according to The Clare Echo columnist Darach Honan.
*Ian Galvin. Photograph: Martin Connolly Ian Galvin has returned to contact training giving joint managers Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor an extra option in attack for Sunday’s Munster senior hurling championship tie with Tipperary in Cusack Park.
