MUNSTER SHC SEMI-FINAL
Clare v Limerick, Tomorrow, 4pm Semple Stadium, Thurles Live on RTÉ 2
BEYOND THE obvious reward of making the Munster hurling final, there is a lot at stake here. Clare haven't contested the final since 1999, and haven't won it since the year before. While Limerick made it last year, losing to Waterford, they haven't won it since 1996.
Clare are also out to prove their win over Waterford was no accident. That marked their first win in the Munster championship in five years. There's no way they'll want to leave it at that.
Similarly, Limerick are also out to prove making last year's All-Ireland final was no accident. The big problem for them was their league form was disturbingly inconsistent, and all efforts to build on 2007 look to have stalled.
The big question then is which Limerick team will turn up. If they can reproduce the form of late last summer they can definitely overcome Clare, but there's not much evidence to suggest they can.
Brian Begley and Donie Ryan are notable absentees up front, as is Brian Geary in defence. Still, Andrew O'Shaughnessy is always capable of racking up a good score and the Moran brothers, Niall and Ollie, and Mike Fitzgerald make up a threatening half-forward line.
Clare won't have it as easy as against Waterford and Mike McNamara's first words in the dressingroom will be "work-rate".
If they can raise that again from the last day, get the best again out of Niall Gilligan, Colin Lynch and Frank Lohan, and even better stuff from Tony Griffin, Diarmuid McMahon and Mark Flaherty, they should be too hot to handle.
CLARE: P Brennan; G O'Grady, F Lohan, B Bugler; P Vaughan, C Plunkett, P Donnellan; B O'Connell, C Lynch; D McMahon, T Griffin, J Clancy; N Gilligan, T Carmody, M Flaherty.
LIMERICK: B Murray; D Reale, S Lucey, M O'Riordan; S Hickey, P O'Dwyer, M Foley; M O'Brien, D O'Grady; M Fitzgerald, O Moran, N Moran; A O'Shaughnessy, S O'Connor, D Sheehan.
Referee: E Morris (Dublin).
Guidelines
In the last episode: Clare and Limerick didn't meet for 10 years between 1996 and 2006, and now meet for the third successive year. In last year's quarter-final, Limerick won through 1-23 to 1-16, while Clare were more even convincing winners in the 2006 qualifiers, triumphing 2-21 to 0-10.
You bet: Even the country's two main bookmakers have a hard time separating these two. Paddy Power make Clare slight favourites at 10/11. Limerick are 11/10 and the draw is 9/1. The handicap betting is 4/5 Limerick (+1); 6/5 Clare (-1). Boylesports have both Clare and Limerick evens, and also put the draw at 9/1.
On your marks:The one definite advantage for Clare is they already have a championship match in their system, surely beneficial in getting into the pace of the game. Limerick have yet to reach the set position.
Gaining ground:The only advice in coming to Semple Stadium is to come early, and soak up that smell of greasy burgers and soggy chips.
Just the ticket:Adult and juvenile tickets will be available to purchase while stocks last from noon tomorrow at the following locations: Dr Morris Park (Kinnane Stand/ Killinan Terrace corner); Sarsfield Pitch (Kinnane Stand/Town Terrace corner); Handball Centre (Ó Riain Stand/Town Terrace corner); Stand: €30 (€25 uncovered); Terrace: €20.
Crystal gazing: More than just a crystal ball needed to see through this one, but Clare are just about visible through the murky light.
