Clare and Limerick contesting a Munster final in Thurles brings back many memories for me - not all of them good.
I was extremely lucky to play in six Munster finals. The first, against Tipperary in 1993, is one that I remember particularly well. I wish I didn’t.
It was a fine summer’s day, the Gaelic Grounds was packed and they absolutely destroyed us. With 10 minutes to go, I was wondering if it would ever end.
We bounced back to reach another final the following year, against Limerick in Thurles, but it was a similar experience. They wiped us out.
My uncle took me to my first Munster final in 1977 when Clare lost to Cork and playing and winning on that day became an obsession for me. So when I finally got there, to not even compete two years running was extremely hard to take.
We returned to the final again in 1995, once more against Limerick in Thurles. I sat with Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin on the bus as always and we were at one in our belief that today had to be the day. We just couldn’t afford to lose again.
The crowd wasn’t as big as it had been in the previous two years; some had lost faith.
Coming up to the game I was asked by the management if I would be our penalty-taker as Seánie McMahon had damaged his collarbone in the semi-final. I was delighted until I realised that I had never taken one before. I consoled myself with the fact that we hadn’t been awarded one in two years.
At the time, I had noticed how Limerick’s Damien Quigley had a habit of turning his man and running straight at goal, causing serious problems, and I made up my mind that if this happened I would run straight at him.
Lo and behold, it came to pass after 10 minutes, resulting in me bursting a blood vessel in my leg, leaving me in serious pain. Ten minutes later, we were awarded a penalty and I wondered if I’d be able to get up the field.
When practising penalties, I had aimed high across the goalie’s right shoulder as I knew that Joe Quaid would have to turn his body to save it.
As I went to take it, I was telling myself to just get the lift right and hit it as hard as I could after that. I’ll never forget the roar when it hit the net. The adrenaline rinsed away the pain in my leg for the next 30 seconds as I raced back to my own goal.
Other memories of the day: PJ O’Connell on fire, Dalo, Seánie and Liam Doyle lording it, Ollie Baker, Hego and Jamesie on top.
I remember asking the umpire how much time was left. “Two minutes”. We were well ahead. I couldn’t believe that we were finally going to do it.
I’ll never forget when that whistle finally sounded. My father, who wouldn’t be an emotional man, was one of the first out on the field and lifted me up, whispering words in my ear that I’ll never forget.
I was carried by the crowd and you could see the emotion in their faces, what it meant after 63 years.
We went on to achieve a lot after that, but nothing surpassed that day.
Clare can upset Limerick and bridge gap to 1998
Limerick are clear favourites to win on Sunday and with good reason.
They have a special team that has dominated the game but the core of this Clare side have plenty of medals from underage and senior hurling and they certainly have a chance.
Clare’s full-back line came out on top in the recent meeting but the return of Aaron Gillane will give them more to think about.
They also must get their match-up with Gearoid Hergarty right, while it will be interesting as to whether Limerick go with Cian Lynch from the start after his lay-off.
The midfield battle will also be fascinating with strength and power in abundance on either side though David Fitzgerald and Cathal Malone are in fine form.
Clare’s pace up front can hurt Limerick and for that reason I would like to see Shane O’Donnell and Ryan Taylor get more short ball so that they can run at them. Clare can vary it then with long deliveries to Peter Duggan, who will trouble Mike Casey on the edge of the square.
I haven’t even mentioned Tony Kelly, arguably the best player in the game right now. Will he be man-marked or will Limerick leave the opposing player in whatever position he lands in to pick him up?
He’s at his best when allowed to roam; he can get on breaking ball and hurt teams with his scoring threat.
All told, I don’t believe that there is a significant gulf between the respective sets of players and that Clare can win if they are clever enough in how they go about their business.
I believe that they will pull it off.
Kilkenny to turn the tables on Galway
One thing that has stood out to me about Galway is their inability to close out games.
They were well on top against Wexford but got pegged back for a draw. Something similar almost happened against Kilkenny before they scraped a one-point win.
It should be a cause of concern for Henry Shefflin and something he’ll have to rectify if they are to progress in this Championship.
On paper, Galway should be winning on Saturday but I wouldn’t write off Kilkenny. They will be really hurt at the Wexford defeat having been dominated physically and outwitted tactically.
I was baffled as to why Padraig Walsh, one of their best players, didn’t start that evening. I’d imagine he’ll come back in along with Huw Lawlor, so that will strengthen Kilkenny considerably.
Galway look solid at the back with Daithí Burke, Padraic Mannion and Gearóid McInerney and while Conor Cooney is having a really good season, Conor Whelan is the main man up front and has assumed the mantle from Joe Canning as leader of the attack.
But, despite all that, I expect a big performance from Kilkenny that will see them retain the Leinster title.
Finally, I don’t expect any drama with Brian Cody and Shefflin this time, though I believe that Henry is entitled to manage who he wants.
His loyalty to Kilkenny can never be questioned but when there was no vacancy in the county, he was within his rights to go elsewhere.
Kerry having to face a play-off is ridiculous
I expect that Antrim will be looking forward to top tier hurling in 2023 come Saturday evening.
They’ve proven to be the best team in the Joe McDonagh Cup, even allowing for the fact that Kerry beat them when the Saffrons were already through to the final.
Stephen Molumphy has done a fine job but I don’t expect a repeat result.
But if Kerry were to pull it off, they should go straight into next year’s Munster Championship, no questions asked. The idea that they would play Tipperary in a play-off is ridiculous and something the GAA should look at.
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