Eamonn Cregan isn't too far off the mark when he says this evening's National Hurling League game between Clare and Limerick will be "championship fare". A league semi-final place is the immediate reward for the winners yet the Limerick manager is aware the result is likely to have an influence on the championship as well.
"Up to now we've been playing winter hurling and if you're slow you can get away with it," says Cregan. "But this is the time when you need to show your worth, when players need to show their heart and their courage.
"It's not the end of the world for us if we don't make the semi-finals but it is important that we establish some sort of winning sequence. This is also the time of year when players are judged and from that point of view it's as good as a championship game for us."
Deferred from last Sunday week because of a rain-soaked Gaelic Grounds, both counties go into the game chasing the second semi-final berth from Division 1A. Galway - the title holders - are already assured of their semi-final place, and if Clare win they will join them. If Limerick win and bag the expected points against Meath on Sunday, they will progress.
There are a couple of enforced changes in both teams. Two of Limerick's under-21 players will play a role - midfielder Sean O'Connor comes in for the injured Mike O'Brien and half-forward Paul O'Grady returns for Dave Stapleton.
Clare will be without Ollie Baker (back injury) and Sean McMahon (hamstring injury) - both suffered in last Sunday's win over Offaly but not serious enough to put them on the long-term injury list. Richie Woods, who replaced McMahon, also picked up an injury in training on Monday.
As a result, John Reddan and Gearoid Considine take the positions at centre back and midfield respectively. Anthony Daly has also been named among the substitutes and he is likely to make his much-awaited reappearance.
The familiar hunger and intensity seems to be returning to Clare's game, and was clearly visible in last Sunday's five-point win over Offaly. Jamesie O'Connor is fast approaching his finest form and Brian Lohan is back on top at full back. Niall Gilligan's return also added an immediate force in the attack. Cyril Lyons has finally settled in.
"Some people are now making Clare the favourites for the Munster championship," says Cregan. They are among the reasons why Clare may carry the greater momentum into this game. The neighbourly rivalry is set to attract around 10,000 spectators to the Gaelic Grounds and those supporters won't be the only ones coming away with a fresh opinion on the championship. These are the sort of games that will stand in a month's time.
If Limerick have genuine ambitions of making their mark this summer, this is one test Cregan will be eager to pass. A win here could set them up for greater things in the summer, but it may be that the test has come a little too soon.
Limerick v Clare, (Gaelic Grounds, 6.45)
CLARE (SH v Limerick): D Fitzgerald; C Forde, B Lohan, F Lohan; L Doyle, J Reddan, D Hoey; G Considine, C Lynch; A Markham, J O'Connor, T Carmody; B Murphy, N Gilligan, D Forde.
LIMERICK (SH v Clare): T Houlihan; S McDonagh, TJ Ryan, D Reale; J Foley, M Foley, C Smith; S O'Connor, J Moran; P O'Grady, O Moran, M Keane; J Butler, B Begley, B Foley. Subs: A Shanahan, D Ryan, W Walsh, D Stapleton, J Meskell, E O'Neill, P Tobin, D McInerney, B Geary.
