Clare’s young guns ready to fire

Clare and Waterford meet again this Sunday in a contest that should bring over 30,000 fans to Semple Stadium. We are in for a treat and hopefully some real championship hurling. Since the draw was made last year, this game has been uppermost in both squads’ minds. The fact that they met in the league final (and replay) in May only whets appetites, while adding another layer of intrigue to the contest.

Both league finals were fascinating with the replay certainly being played at championship pitch. Over 160 minutes, there was nothing between the teams and it was only in injury time that the Banner equalised and then, thanks to Tony Kelly, literally stole the title out from under the Déise.

The consensus is that there will only be a puck of a ball between them again this Sunday and it is hard to argue with that, although I’ll give it a go. It is quite possible that one of Sunday’s protagonists cuts loose and puts the other to the sword. Both are capable of having this wrapped up with 10 minutes to go. That would not surprise me.

Style of hurling

Earlier this year, I had earmarked Waterford as the team that would challenge Kilkenny this summer and I would have had them as strong favourites to beat Clare up until the start of April. I saw them dismantle Cork in Páirc Uí Rinn on a February night and that performance was not devalued by the Rebels’ recent demise, because the Déise were imperious that night. It wasn’t just their style of hurling, it was the controlled manner in which they went about their business. They were better in every facet of the game and this was only February. I came back to Clare and warned everyone I met that 5 June would be a very tall order.

What has changed my mind since is the Banner performance in the league semi against the Cats. All bets were off after that demolition. Throw in the manner in which Clare withstood what Waterford inflicted in the drawn and replayed league finals and I have happily come to the conclusion that it will be our year instead.

Waterford, however, will not be far behind. In the late noughties and early part of this decade, when Clare underage hurling sides were winning multiple minor and U-21 titles in Munster, our biggest rivals were Waterford. We got out of Dungarvan a few nights by the skin of our teeth. Strong as the Banner undoubtedly were, it was often the Déise that gave us our closest shaves on the way to four U-21 All-Irelands in six years.

Change of dynamic

There can be no doubt that those memories are fresh enough for much of the current Waterford panel and a few of them can since boast All-Ireland minor medals. The addition of these young players, who play with no fear, to a seamless system, makes them the most improved side in the country in the last 18 months.

Luckily, Clare were the best team in the land back in 2013 and didn’t have too far to come to approach those highs again. That’s what makes this Sunday so attractive. There is every chance these two could meet again in August or, dare I jinx it, September.

With very little between the teams in May’s league finals, we have to consider what will change the dynamic on Sunday and the answer is probably a few potential returnees. Derek McGrath now has the starting option of Maurice Shanahan, Pauric Mahony and maybe even Stephen Bennett. For Clare, Davy Fitz will probably have John Conlon, Paul Flanagan and Oisin O’Brien to call upon. These are all game changers but a fully fit Conlon might be the difference. Easily Clare’s best player in the league until his injury, diagnosed after the Kilkenny game, his presence would allow Clare to vary their game and add a target man option to their attack.

That out ball was never really on during the May games and Conlon changes everything for Clare. Waterford can make a similar case about Maurice, but his presence doesn’t really change how his team play, whereas Conlon does have that effect.

This is all part of the chess game that will be played out on the line as well as the pitch and part of me can’t help thinking that we could be in for a huge surprise along the line somewhere too. One of these managers will surely have a rabbit up his sleeve for unveiling on Sunday, be it a player or even – whisper it – the non-sweeper option.

Referee James Owens will be crucial too because the opening of this game could be sulphurous. Where Cork did not engage in the championship part of Munster hurling, both of these sides surely will. Just like the old days, it will be hell for leather.

Clare to win. Waterford to lick their wounds and return even stronger. Or vice versa. Dammit, the first one.

Leinster hurling

Galway enter this year’s hurling championship on Sunday when they meet the most successful hurling team in the All-Ireland series to date: the unbeaten Westmeath, recent conquerors of Offaly, Kerry and Carlow. Not to mention of course their heroic U-21 slaying of Kilkenny.

Perhaps a few months back this looked like a gentle introduction to the Leinster championship, but now the Tribesmen, sans Anthony Cunningham, must hit the ground running. Westmeath are on the rise and shouldn’t have any fear of this game. Back in 2012, a weaker team scored 4-12 against Galway while conceding 5-19. This one could be interesting for longer than the usual 30 or 40 minutes.

Offaly and Laois also take to the hurling field in their provincial quarter-final and no doubt Offaly being Offaly, will prove doubters wrong by advancing to a semi-final where they will then beat Kilkenny. OK, maybe not the last part.

Football action

Much will be made on Saturday night of Dublin football supporters having to travel an hour down the motorway to Nowlan Park to play and beat Laois in their first defence of Sam Maguire. It will be routine and it will be a little different. Get over it, lads – at least ye won’t arrive and be charged for a bus to take you to Dr Cullen Park because the pitch is waterlogged. The weather man is looking after us but maybe heavy rain is what Laois need.

That leaves the Ulster football championship and Monaghan and Down. Times have changed in Ulster as Monaghan will be hot favourites, having won two of the last three provincial titles. We’re due a shock to light a fire under either the hurling or football championships. In fact, we need a shock to get the summer up and running properly. Alas, I don’t think we’ll get it this weekend. Clones, Mullingar, Tullamore, Nowlan Park and Thurles will all look resplendent this weekend – let’s hope they get some fireworks to match the sunshine.