Preview: SHC qualifier - Clare v Cork

July 11, 2015

Cork goalkeeper Anthony Nash makes his way up the field to take a penalty as team mate Conor Lehane clears John Conlon of Clare out of the way.
©INPHO/Cathal Noonan.

If Carlsberg did hurling qualifiers ...

They don't come much bigger or better than Clare versus Cork, Davy Fitzgerald versus Jimmy Barry-Murphy, in knock-out hurling.

The highs of the 2013 All-Ireland final drawn and replay games might be fading memories but whoever progresses tonight will head into the quarter-final stages with a pep in their step.

It will be the fifth championship meeting of these two familiar foes inside the last two years and Clare will be looking to reverse last year's 2-23 to 2-18 win for the team in red and white.

Both managers are keeping their cards close to their chests and have named unchanged teams following last weekend's respective round one successes.

The Banner County bounced back from their narrow one point Munster SHC quarter-final defeat to Limerick when making light work of Offaly (3-26 to 0-15).

The Rebels, still smarting from their Munster semi-final exit to Waterford, returned to winning ways with a 2-20 to 0-20 win over Wexford.

"Win, lose or draw, once we can go out and give an absolute belter of a performance that shows courage and passion and what Clare is about, then we will take that," Davy Fitz said.

"That's what we are about, being courageous and showing plenty of passion and pride."

That will be the bottom line for both teams as they leave the dressingroom. Anything less will spell trouble.

Verdict - Clare.

Clare team: Patrick Kelly; David McInerney, Cian Dillon, Seadna Morey; Brendan Bugler, Patrick O'Connor, Jack Browne; Conor Ryan, Tony Kelly; John Conlon, Colin Ryan, Shane Golden; Darach Honan, Shane O'Donnell, Conor McGrath.

Cork team: Anthony Nash; Damien Cahalane, Stephen McDonnell, Brian Murphy; Aidan Walsh, Mark Ellis, Cormac Murphy; Daniel Kearney, Bill Cooper; Conor Lehane, Patrick Cronin, Brian Lawton; Alan Cadogan, Seamus Harnedy, Patrick Horgan.

Match details: Saturday; Semple Stadium; 7pm; extra-time playable.

Referee: Barry Kelly.

Odds: Clare 5/6; Draw 9/1; Cork 6/5.


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