*Clare’s Cathal Malone in action. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
MUNSTER championship glory is seventy minutes away for Clare’s senior hurlers who have reached the final of the “massive competition” after overcoming Tipperary by three points on Sunday.
Clare selector Tommy Corbett wasn’t surprised with the strong challenge offered by Tipperary on Sunday.
Ennis native Corbett who managed Clooney/Quin at a number of levels including senior in recent years said after Sunday’s victory, “we expected Tipp to come with a fight, they are not as bad as some made them out to be, we knew they would be fired up.
“Their wins in the Munster minor and under 20 finals would have lifted their spirits, their results didn’t reflect their ability. Liam Cahill is a good manager and we didn’t expect anything less that what the gave today”,” he added.
Corbett is in his first season as a selector on Brian Lohan’s management. The former Éire Óg player is looking forward to the Munster final. “Clare have only won this title four or five times. It’s a massive competition. There are three cups on offer at this level every year. We have the league title and we are now in a position to compete for the Munster championship title. We will see what happens after that”.
Referring to the fact that they were able to introduce four players to their line up during the course of Sunday’s game, he said “it’s very important for lads to get game time and it’s important that they take the opportunity when it arises”
Asked about the fitness of Ryan Taylor who is recovering from a cruciate knee injury, the Clare selector said “we are keeping an eye on his progress and we will take medical advice as to when he will be ready”.
Looking ahead to the Munster final meeting with Limerick on June 9 he said, “we will look at the Limerick v Waterford game, we were concentrating on our own game today. They are a very good team going for six in a row in Munster, I am looking forward to the final”.
Asked if the fixture will put extra pressure on Clare given the fact that they have been pipped by their neighbours in the last two finals he said “it’s another game, it’s one we want to win and we will approach it like we have approached every other game. We are not looking any further than that”.
“Our support has been excellent. The vast majority in Thurles were our supporters, we appreciate that support and we are looking forward to the final,” the financial advisor concluded.
