Clare boss Davy Fitzgerald insists he doesn't fear relegation.

The injury- and suspension-ravaged Banner will be demoted to Division 1B of the Allianz League if they should lost to Kilkenny for the second time in seven days next Sunday.

"It's funny how the teams who won the (last two) All-Irelands are in a relegation play-off. It's looking like it's odds-on for us to go down, but you never know," Fitzgerald said.

"They have six or seven lads to come back in so they will be stronger next week. They wouldn't be quaking in their boots after seeing us today.

"We've a mountain to climb when they get all their players back. Kilkenny down half their team, it was a decent game but they will be better next week."

He added: "I'm fierce proud of them (the players), they worked very hard, they are a great bunch of guys. We'll keep knocking at the door, whether we go down to 1B or no now, I don't care.

"We'll try now to but if we do, we do."

Fitzgerald also admitted that Clare can ill-afford to lose the Boston-bound Colm Galvin, who picked up a hamstring injury yesterday.

"We've talked to him and we said we'd talk about it after the league is over. I have a fantastic relationship with him.

"We'd love him to stay, but whatever happens he'll always be welcome back."

Tweet

Most Read Stories