Clare boss Brian Lohan revealed how “soul-searching” in the wake of their defeat to Tipperary helped to propel them to a Munster final.
An opening day loss in Ennis left the Banner on the back foot going to face Limerick the following weekend but a famous win there, followed up by victories over Waterford and now Cork has seen them into the provincial decider next month, with Tipp their most likely opponents.
Lohan said: “A lot of thought and soul-searching done in relation to ourselves and where we were going as group after that Tipp game and everything was on the line against Limerick.
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“Got through the Waterford game and then here was just...there wasn't as much pressure on the game. It was such a vital game but there wasn't that tough pressure that we had going into the Limerick game so maybe there was a little bit more freedom in our play and we played a bit better and particularly coming down the stretch.”
Although it ultimately took a late, late winner from Diarmuid Ryan, Clare would have been kicking themselves had they not come away with the win having been in control for the most part and were never led from the 24th minute.
"We had got on top and let them back into it, it's very hard to pull away and then very hard with the quality of forward line they have, very hard to keep an eye on them for long, fair play to our lads they stuck at it and we are delighted with the win.”
Cork manager Pat Ryan admitted that it’s “backs to the wall” as they head to face Limerick next Sunday in a game they cannot afford to lose if they are to maintain their interest in this year’s Championship.
“We kind of knew that when we drew with Tipperary, we knew that the task was going to be huge. We had to win one of these two games.
“Obviously came up short against Clare today so we’re up against Limerick next Sunday again so it’s a great opportunity for our fellas to see where we’re at.”
He added: “We’re kind of getting patches in the middle where we kind of go quiet and we let the team outscore us. I think they outscored us 1-8 to 0-2 at one stage there in the first half and, look, that’s disappointing.
“We need to work on it a bit better than that but can’t fault our fellas. It’s a mammoth task now, we’ll try and raise the lads now again. They’re very disappointed with that result but we have Limerick next week.”
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