*Cillian Brennan gets away from Paul Geaney. Photograph: Martin Connolly Clare’s senior footballers face another away tie having been drawn to play Westmeath in the third round of the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers.
*Cormac Murphy, Oisin Clune & Sean Ronan celebrate at the final whistle. Photograph: Martin Connolly Qualifying for the Munster Final has been the goal for the Clare minor hurlers since November according to their manager, Clooney/Quin clubman Fergal Lynch.
*Clare captain Patrick O’Connor. Photograph: Martin Connolly Two wins and two defeats is Clare’s record from the 2019 Munster SHC, the two losses being extremely one-sided contests, the aftermath of which resulting in “a tough few weeks” for all involved in the Banner setup and their families according to captain Patrick O’Connor.
*Sean Finn competes with Aron Shanagher. Photograph: Martin Connolly 2018 was an unforgettable year for Limerick as they became All-Ireland senior hurling champions for the first time since 1973, one glitch remained in a dream campaign, that being their eleven point June defeat to Clare.
*Seamus Callanan reacts quickest and buries the ball in the Clare goal despite Patrick O’Connor’s attempts. Photograph: Martin Connolly The Clare Echo’s Darach Honan reflects on Clare’s thirteen point defeat to Tipperary and looks at possible changes for Sunday’s must-win tie against Limerick.
*David Tubridy celebrates scoring for Clare in a 2016 qualifier win vs Roscommon. PHOTO: ©INPHO/Donall Farmer As far as recent meetings between Clare and Kerry, Saturday’s six point defeat wasn’t the Banner’s worst nor the best but manager Colm Collins was left confident his side would mount a successful run in the All-Ireland qualifiers.
*Colm Collins. Photograph: Martin Connolly Beating Waterford on Saturday was a case of job done for Colm Collins and the Clare senior footballers but it won’t come close when it comes to Kerry according to the Banner boss.
*Eoin Cleary. Photograph: Martin Connolly Although successful in their first championship outing of the year, Eoin Cleary felt Clare’s one point win over Waterford in the Munster SFC was “more like a defeat”.
*Cormac Murray. Photograph: Martin Connolly Stephen Ryan and Cormac Murray will make their senior championship debuts on Saturday as the Clare footballers kick off their Munster campaign in Cusack Park.
*Eoin Cleary celebrates after the final whistle. Photograph: Martin Connolly Beating Tipperary in Semple Stadium on Sunday and in the process relegating the Premier County and Cork was a game to savour according to Eoin Cleary.
