‘WE’RE NOT GOING TO FALL ON OUR SWORD’

way better than we did last week. We have Limerick coming in two weeks’ time. What are we going to do, fall down on our sword?

‘It was an abysmal performance below in Waterford, whereas today was a much better performance. But at the end of the day, we are only interested in winning. That didn’t happen.’

Clare manager Brian Lohan admitted this second-round fixture had the feel of a knockout game after both had lost their opening matches.

‘All these games are big pressure games. Teams seem to be taking points off each other and that will continue – a lot of the teams are very even. So if you lost two games, you’re nearly knocked out of it, but there will be twists and turns in this yet.’

Clare had to show resilience after the late collapse in Ennis when they looked to have the game won only to concede a hat-trick of goals. Lohan’s dismay at the manner of the defeat was still obvious.

‘When you lose a game, there’s no shame in losing. But it was the nature of the loss, the disappointment. Since you’re six years of age you’re told to block the ball and mark your man – those are the things we didn’t do. That’s how we conceded those three goals late. So very disappointing to be up against the opposition we were up against, and not do the basics.

‘Ourselves and Cork were in the same situation. A lot of pressure on. Just delighted with the way our lads responded. Delighted to win.’

That Clare won without Tony Kelly was even more impressive, the Ballyea star clearly having an adverse reaction to being introduced off the bench against Limerick after a long lay-off with an ankle injury.

‘He’s working away with the physios,’ said Lohan, without saying exactly what the issue was. ‘We were hoping he’d be right today but he just wasn’t.’