*Patrick Horgan clashes with Conor Cleary and Paul Flanagan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CORK’s PACE will be the main area of opposition focus for Clare as Brian Lohan’s side look to record their second win in Semple Stadium in this year’s Munster SHC.
Clare began with a bang defeating Tipperary 3-21 to 2-16 and they now face a Cork side beaten in their last two outings comprehensively to Waterford in the Allianz National Hurling League final and also to Limerick in their only game to date in this year’s championship.
Speaking ahead of the test this Sunday at 2pm in Semple Stadium, Brian Lohan observed, “Cork do love Thurles, Cork are a good team, they’ve serious pace all over the field”.
Short turnarounds once they apply to all teams are not a major concern for the Shannon man. “I don’t mind the quick turnaround so long as everyone else is on the same boat, you get your games and you get your break, every team has a break of two matches, it is the same for everybody”.
Shane Meehan (hamstring) will be hopeful of being in contention for this weekend’s clash, the Banner attacker was moments away from making his debut when a niggling injury reared its head again with management making the wise call not to risk the Mary I student when this became apparent. The quintet of Mark Rodgers, Aidan McCarthy, David Reidy, Aron Shanagher and Patrick O’Connor will be unavailable.
Both Clare and Cork crossed swords in last year’s championship with a late Patrick Collins save denying Tony Kelly from sending Lohan’s side through to the All-Ireland quarter-finals. “Everyone knows the pace of the Cork team, they’ve really exceptional forwards and ball players all over the field, that is another challenge,” the 2015 Fitzgibbon Cup winning manager commented.
