*Clare failed to supply Mark Rodgers with enough possession. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill WHILE I WAS confident going into the game against Tipperary at the weekend I was nervous as Tipperary had shown the better form of the two so far in the league.
*Mark Rodgers in action for UL. Photograph: Sport Action Photography CLARE WILL BE WELL REPRESENTED with a total of 27 hurlers involved with Fitzgibbon Cup panels across the country.
*Cian O’Rourke battles with Eoin Fitzgerald INAGH/KILNAMONA are back in the hunt for the Canon Hamilton, qualifying for the last eight along with Wolfe Tones despite overcoming the Shannon side.
*Billy Connors battles with David Gough. Photograph: Ruth Griffin WOLFE TONES ARE DETERMINED to “maintain the momentum” following their opening round win in the Clare SHC.
Daithí Lohan is tipped to have a big year for The Tones. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill The phrase ‘a good start is half the battle’ could have been written with Wolfe Tones in mind as the last two seasons, their sole championship saving victories have come in the opening round of the championship.
*David Fitzgerald gets away from Shane Reck. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill An All-Ireland semi-final with Kilkenny is now occupying the thoughts of Clare’s senior hurlers and a big improvement is needed, one of their key forwards has said.
*Tony Kelly on the attack for Clare. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill At no stage during Saturday’s All-Ireland senior hurling championship quarter final did Clare think that their season was over, according to team captain Tony Kelly.
*Diarmuid Ryan was among the central figures behind Clare’s comeback. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill It was an unusual day of hurling in Thurles at the weekend. While it is great to be able to see both quarter finals live, the GAA should revisit the idea of a double header for All-Ireland quarter finals. It creates a …
AIDAN MCCARTHY’s return to action comes as a major boost to Clare as they switch their focus to the All-Ireland SHC semi-final with Kilkenny.
*Brian Lohan congratulates Cathal Malone. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill A refusal to relent and an unquestionable work ethic stood to Clare’s senior hurlers as they advanced to the semi-finals of the All-Ireland SHC.