AN OPPORTUNITY TO increase the profile of Munster hurling or a potential drawback as the knockout element of provincial action is removed?
Clare joint manager Donal Moloney has mixed views on the proposed new plans for the senior hurling championship format that are in the pipeline for 2018.
“I can understand the necessity to increase the number of games in terms of the profile of hurling. I can respect that intent.
“On the other side of that, you have to say, and I wasn’t at the Tipp-Cork game but I was at the Waterford-Cork game and the atmosphere was phenomenal.
“That was like a throw-back to maybe 15 years ago in terms of the atmosphere and magic of the Munster championship. Those days have a certain resonance.
“The trade off is, would you lose that in order to increase the profile? That’s got to be thought through – is what you’re getting better than what’s been in the past?
“Sometimes we make change for the sake of it, or you make change because you think you’re trying to fix a problem, but you might create another one.
“At this juncture, we’re looking at the proposal that’s out there. We haven’t fully confirmed how we feel about it – we’re more focused on getting ready for 9 July.”
That date Sunday week sees Clare as one of the chief protagonists on Munster senior hurling final day.
They will journey to Semple Stadium, a venue where Moloney and his sidekick Gerry O’Connor won with Clare the 2010 Munster minor final, the 2013 Munster U21 final and three consecutive All-Ireland U21 deciders between 2012 and 2014.
“We’d rather play them in Thurles than Páirc Uí Chaoimh,” says Moloney.
“We like Thurles. If we had to go to Páirc Uí Chaoimh, it wouldn’t have been an issue either but you’ve got be practical and say it would have to be an advantage for Cork, if we played them down there.
“We like playing in Thurles, it’s been good for us from an underage perspective over the years. We like going there.”
On the injury front Clare are keeping their fingers crossed about the availability of full-back David McInerney while defender Oisin O’Brien has made a quicker recovery than expected from a long-term injury.
“(We’re) hopeful that he (David) is going to make it. He’s going through his rehab, working very, very hard. We’ll probably know better by the weekend.
“The last time we were probably together, Oisin O’Brien wouldn’t have been back in training. He’s returned since so it’s a great plus for us as well.
“Knowing Oisin, that probably wouldn’t be a surprise because he surprised the physios and the specialists in terms of his recovery.
“He behaves off the field in terms of his rehab as he does on the field, he’d be very, very focused. He made a really quick recovery, probably came in six weeks ahead of schedule.”
Clare’s current focus is on the 2017 hurling championship yet after that they will have another assignment with yesterday’s announcement concerning November’s Super 11s double-header in Boston.
“Our county secretary Pat Fitzgerald has been involved in it. It’s something to look forward to. We’re delighted. It’s a huge honour. It’s something we’ll look forward to go to the States in November.”
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