Anthony Daly thinks Clare's dashing display against Cork yesterday has reignited their season and puts them back in the mix to end a long wait for a Munster title.
The Banner men threw away a nine-point lead to All-Ireland champions Limerick in round one, but against a Cork side also coming into the game on the back of a loss, it was Brian Lohan's side who reigned supreme, in an enthralling contest where six goals and 60 points were notched on Leeside.
While the Rebels are left staring down the barrel of elimination, Clare now have a home match against Waterford and a trip to Tipp to try and seal a place in the provincial decider, with two for two Limerick looking well placed to advance to another Munster final.
The two sides have contested the last two Munster finals and many observers believe the Banner are vying with Kilkenny as the second-best team in the country, despite Lohan’s side coming a cropper against the Cats in the last two All-Ireland semi-finals.
While there is still much hurling to be played before this year’s decider on 9 June, former Clare captain Anthony Daly says the hurt from the last two Limerick defeats (2023 Munster final and 2024 Munster opener) will fuel his county men, who have shown the ability to dig deep when required.
"I think it was the whole nature of last weekend. To have been nine ahead, that hasn’t been the process we have been used to in Clare – Limerick, it has been tit-for-tat. All of a sudden we were cruising, and then we collapsed.
"They are a very resilient group. You hear Brian being interviewed and he always says 'the group' and that was what shone through against Cork, the strength of the group, the leaders in the group.
"It’s a fantastic position (for Clare) to find yourself in given the gloom of the week."
Clare will have a week off in round three before the Déise travel to Cusack Park and they will conclude the group stage at Semple Stadium.
Daly was captain the last time Clare ruled in Munster, the reigning All-Ireland champions easing past Waterford in a replay in 1998. Since then, there have been half a dozen final appearances without anything to show for it.
However, having already picked up a league title, Daly is hopeful that winning momentum might just help them end their Munster drought and lift the Mick Mackey Cup.
"The league has been captured, that was the first piece of brass, but we want another bit of brass now.
"It’s 26 years now, I don’t want to take it to my grave."
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