*David Fitzgerald. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill LOSING THE Munster senior hurling final for the second year in a row left “a sour taste” for David Fitzgerald and his Clare teammates but it hasn’t diluted their appetite for glory in the county colours.
*Clare’s Tony Kelly battles with Ger Mellerick. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill BACK TO BACK Munster senior hurling finals have left the people of Clare with a pep in their step and the mood is certainly optimistic on the latest episode of The Water Break.
*Shane O’Donnell dinks past Austin Gleeson. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Clare never needed to raise much of a gallop to brush aside a dysfunctional Waterford team, the Déise’s approach to the game was simply baffling.
*Tony Kelly led the way for Clare. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill A fifth successive provincial victory over Waterford ensures that Clare’s rehabilitation was completed as their fate is firmly in their own hands ahead of their final round showdown against Cork next Sunday.
*John Conlon holds off Graeme Mulcahy. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Unlike the players, I was mentally scarred by our visit to the Gaelic Grounds in 2019. That day, after a disappointing defeat to Tipperary in the previous round, Clare were beaten all ends up to the delight of the baying Limerick crowd.
*Ryan Taylor and Peter Duggan celebrate at the final whistle. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill THEY PICKED UP THE SCRIPT and tossed it into the bin, Clare’s senior hurlers were written off in most parts for Saturday’s crunch tie with Limerick but they managed to end the All-Ireland champions seventeen game unbeaten run.
*David Fitzgerald gets away from Cathal O’Neill. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill FROM THE OFF, David Fitzgerald’s return lifted Clare as they defeated Limerick on Saturday but he’s adamant they must make the scalp count by progressing in this season’s championship.
*Eibhear Quilligan is named to start in goals. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography BRIAN LOHAN has made two changes to the Clare senior hurling team for Saturday’s meeting with reigning All-Ireland, Munster and National Hurling League champions Limerick.
*David Fitzgerald. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CLARE’S senior hurlers will be without David Fitzgerald for their opening outing in this year’s Munster SHC.
ALL STAR David Fitzgerald is set to miss Clare’s first outing of this year’s championship.
