Joint-manager Donal Moloney took solace from Clare's performance against Cork.

The Rebels needed a strong finish to prevail by five points at Pairc Ui Chaoimh after the sides had been level going into injury-time.

"It's early in the summer yet and you never know how things will turn out, how things evolve. They have some fine hurlers, they're one of the best teams in the country but there isn't that much between the sides," said Moloney, who felt the game would stand the Banner in good stead against Waterford next weekend.

"You could train for two months, but you'd never replicate that. It is a big factor.

"The guys are very disappointed to lose, but if you don't put everything into it, you won't learn about yourself. The new format is very, very different and it'll be very interesting yet. Look at what happened in the other game today (between Limerick and Tipp). This could be wide open yet.

"We're in Cork's backyard and it's not easy to turn them over down here. I don't know if any team will find it easy to do that here."

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