Banner have edge in this spicy rivalry
1A: Clare v Limerick
Tomorrow, Cusack Park, 2pm BY PAT NOLAN
CLARE and Limerick’s seasons diverged when they met at Cusack Park last summer.
There’s much less at stake tomorrow but it should still be spiky enough given the longstanding rivalry, coupled with the fact that it’s a relative rarity that either carry the title of All-ireland champions.
Clare maintained their fine record at Cusack Park with a win over Wexford last Sunday but will most likely need a result to progress.
Currently they are outside the top four but could find themselves in a qualification position if they suffered a narrow loss and one of the three teams they are level with were beaten more comfortably.
More than League progression though, Donal Moloney and Gerry O’connor will want to underscore Ennis as a fortress ahead of the visits of Cork and Tipperary in the summer.
Limerick were always likely to hit the wall at some stage despite how impressive they were in the opening three games.
And perhaps this was the fixture where it was most likely to happen only for Cork to leave the Gaelic Grounds with the spoils last Sunday.
Clare have more to play for here though John Kiely’s (above) Limerick side will rediscover their mojo before long.