Sport

Clare can upset odds in league final against goal-shy Waterford

Tony Kelly should get more game time for Clare on Sunday  
Tony Kelly should get more game time for Clare on Sunday   Tony Kelly should get more game time for Clare on Sunday  

National Hurling League Division One final: Clare v Waterford


(Sunday, Semple Stadium, 3.30pm, live on TG4)

JUST 36 days will separate Waterford and Clare’s league final on Sunday and their Munster Championship semi-final back in Thurles the following month.

In some circumstances, that could lend itself to the possibility of a bout of shadow boxing, but it’s unlikely to be anything other than a full-blooded, hard-hitting encounter at Semple Stadium.

There are a number of reasons for that. Provincial rivalry will always seep through, as will the chance to lay down a marker before June’s Championship clash. Also the fact that systems, particularly defensive ones, have become such an increasing trend in hurling over the last few years ensures neither manager will want to give up the opportunity to hone theirs in an intense, match-related situation.

The prospect of a league title will also appeal to both counties. In the 84 years the competition has been run, these two sides have only managed three wins apiece. Waterford’s third arrived last year and it didn’t seem to hamper their Championship prospects as Derek McGrath’s youngsters made it to the All-Ireland semi-final.

The giant strides they took last year, the side coming from Division 1B and the attention their extremely defensive system garnered ensured they were constantly in the headlines in 2015.

They have been afforded more space this year, which will probably appease their management team. It’s certainly been more low-key anyway as they are no longer considered a surprise packet and that has allowed them to reach the final almost completely under the radar, despite just one loss in seven league games.

That’s not to say they have been at their best though. Before their semi-final with Limerick, they had only managed one goal in their previous six games and it’s an area of real concern. Sixteen goals in 12 games last year was an acceptable, without being brilliant, goal return and even the three scored against Limerick can’t disguise the fact they haven’t made any improvement in that particular area.

Patrick Curran grabbed one of those goals in the semi-final and his 1-10 tally ensured he moved to the top of the county’s scoring charts for this year’s league, moving past Maurice Shanahan in the process. Shanahan was injured for the match with the Treaty county but should take free-taking duties back from Curran at Semple Stadium, if he’s fit to play.

While it has been a quiet year for Waterford, the same can’t be said for Clare. The shock addition of Donal Og Cusack to Davy Fitzgerald’s backroom team back in September ensured they would be under even more scrutiny than usual but, to be fair, they have delivered when all eyes have been on them.

That was most evident in the league semi-final, when they applied a choke-hold on Kilkenny, not giving the Cats a split-second to breathe and showed a ruthlessness in front of the posts reminiscent of their opponents in their pomp.

Forget that it’s only the league, any side that hits 4-22 against a Brian Cody side and wins by nine points deserves attention. Their success came due to their ability to dominate the fight for loose possession, winning considerably more than Kilkenny and moving it long and fast once they took hold of the sliotar.

They were hungrier for the ball, but they are coming up against a side who are noted scrappers. Colm Galvin, who dropped back to win so much possession for Clare the last day, will have to repeat those heroics.

John Conlon, who played such an important role for Fitzgerald as the isolated forward in that semi-final, misses out with a leg injury, while Paul Flanagan is ruled out with concussion. The good news is that 2013 Hurler of the Year Tony Kelly, who came on for the final 19 minutes the last day, is likely to be ready for more game time on Sunday.

This is not Championship hurling and it’s not going to match the importance of June 5, but there is plenty at stake here. Waterford may be slightly favoured, but they might find the quick delivery of Clare disrupts their ability to set up their defensive shield.

If the Banner can win enough ball and move it fast, they should add title number four.