CLARE will begin the defence of their 2024 Allianz League title this Sunday at 2pm in Cusack Park as they take on Kilkenny, last year’s opponent in the final. The Banner go into the fixture in high spirits after an exceptional double-winning campaign last year and will no doubt look to maintain their title as both league and All-Ireland Champions.
Clare have the pick of the results against the Cats in the sides’ last five meetings with Clare, coming out on top on three occasions, including two famous wins last year in the league final and All-Ireland Semi.
Kilkenny will look to right the wrongs of 2024 after last year’s defeat in the final in Thurles where Aiden McCarthy scored 2-10 and Adam
Hogan put in a memorable shift in defence.
Manager Derek Lyng will also be keen to avoid a similar collapse to the 2024 Semi Final on July 21 where Clare trailed by five at the break before Tony Kelly, Shane O’Donnell and Ryan Taylor forced a late surge that saw Clare outscore Kilkenny 0-12 to 0-4 in the third quarter.
Although beaten by Galway 1-30 to 1-24 in a challenge match on the January 11 in Clarecastle, Clare should go into this fixture confident of a victory. Following the retirement of veterans Paul Flanagan and Séadna Morey, it will be interesting to see if new recruits Ian McNamara (I/K), Daithí Lohan (Wolfe Tones), Shane Woods (I/K) and Rian Considine (Cratloe), make an appearance either starting or on the bench as both Considine and McNamara featured in that defeat to Galway in the side’s last
outing.
These additions should come as no surprise after a strong club championship with Clare manager Brian Lohan (pictured) looking
to bring fresh blood into an increasingly senior looking panel.
Overall, it looks as though an exciting curtain-raiser is on the cards for Clare this Sunday and one that would serve as a great boost if they
were to win.
