*Ian Galvin has rattled the net in two of Clare’s last three championship meetings with Tipperary in Thurles. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CLARE’S senior hurlers bid to bounce back to winning ways brings them to Thurles this weekend in a game that is likely to decide who will emerge from Munster.
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All-Ireland champions Tipperary are chasing a first win of the championship in what will be their third outing of the year while Clare following a fifteen point hammering to Limerick need to get back on track.
Brian Lohan and his management team are expected to make changes in the aftermath of the Limerick drubbing. Calls are strong for either John Conlon or David McInerney to enter the starting team in the heart of defence while Cathal Malone’s return to midfield is also viewed as a necessary move.
Diarmuid Stritch’s inclusion from the off would also strengthen the Clare cause with the surrounds of Semple Stadium sure to suit the pacy and energy of the Clonlara student.
A disjointed approach or one in which Limerick pulled Clare apart saw little protection given to the Banner’s backline and too much aerial ball delivered into Clare’s lively attack a fortnight ago.
Everything that went wrong for Clare against Limerick in Cusack Park is fixable but there will have had to have been a strong focus on strengthening the defensive structure of the side which has conceded six goals in two games. The manner in which Clare’s defence was left completely open for Barry Nash to cut through the middle when assisting Aidan O’Connor’s goal for Limerick is sure to have been reviewed and discussed among internal video analysis sessions.
Semple Stadium is a venue that often brings the best out of this Lohan managed Clare side. They will have no fear of taking on Tipperary in their own backyard and have beaten The Premier County in their last three championship clashes in Thurles. This run stretches back to 2018 when Ian Galvin goaled off the bench to dump Tipperary out of the championship as Clare prevailed 1-23 1-21.
Lohan’s first clash with Tipp in Thurles as manager arrived in 2022 when Clare were comfortable 3-21 2-16 winners, Galvin again raiding for a major with Peter Duggan and Tony Kelly also raising green flags.
A third successive Munster final was reached in 2024 when Clare left Thurles with a 1-24 0-24 win over Liam Cahill’s Tipp.
Last year in Ennis, the turning point in Tipperary’s year arrived when they won 4-18 2-21 which ended Clare’s reign as All-Ireland champions. Seasons tend to swing and change when Clare and Tipperary meet in the Munster championship and Clare will be hoping it swings in their favour by Saturday night.
