‘We will drive on again’ says Clare selector Ralph

*Clare selector Ken Ralph. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

CLARE SELECTOR Ken Ralph believes “Limerick played their best hurling of the year in Sunday’s Munster final”.

Speaking following Clare’s six point loss to Limerick in the Munster SHC final, Ralph stated, “A couple of their games in the Munster championship suggested that they were not firing on all cylinders but that wasn’t the case today. They play with a lot of confidence. They seemed to be sharper than us, we were always chasing it and we needed a goal or two”.

Clarecastle clubman Ken added, “the minutes before and after half time were crucial. We were always chasing it and the goal came at the right time. We missed a few frees and everything they hit seemed to go over. We got chances and there were some great saves. On the day they were that bit better than us and there is no point in saying otherwise”.

Limerick displayed a confidence all over the field, the Clare selector felt. “You would be hoping to meet Limerick on a bad day. They play with a lot of confidence and today they were really confident all over the field. They were able to go through all their moves and execute them really well. They were that bit ahead of us today”.

There is still a lot to play for, he pointed out. “There are two ways one can go now, you can throw your hat at it and feel sorry for yourself on start again. At the moment it’s disappointing but we are still in the championship and we are three games from winning that”.

He added “it’s disappointing at the moment” but stressed “we have to look ahead. At the moment it is disappointing and we will feel sorry for a few days but then we will knuckle down and drive on again”.