Clare's case just that bit stronger

Clare v Tipperary: Tipperary have enjoyed the best preparation possible for this latest clash with Clare with their two matches against Limerick. I felt the second match in particular will have brought them on immensely, and while Clare will have been training hard, there's nothing like championship hurling to improve a team.

The one major blip in Tipperary's build-up has been the injury to Philip Maher. His immense presence alone is something Tipperary are going to badly miss, and he has been one of the outstanding full backs over the last number of years. Maher has always led from the front, and you'd often see him come bursting out to make these long-ranges clearances, which always get a team going.

Bringing John Devane back there from the half forward line is a big move. I knew Devane hurled there with Limerick IT and did very well in the Fitzgibbon, so the full back position won't be anything strange to him. But championship hurling is three or four classes ahead of Fitzgibbon hurling. The other thing, of course, is Devane is marking Niall Gilligan, a formidable task.

Clare are coming into this after that heavy league defeat to Kilkenny, but it's worth remembering they were well in the game during the first half, where their performance would have been enough to deal with most other teams in the country. They hit Kilkenny with everything, and that's exactly what Anthony Daly will want to see tomorrow.

If they do repeat that sort of form I think Clare will win. A month ago people would have said it would be an easy win for Clare, but I think it will be a lot tighter now, simply because of the two games Tipperary have under their belt.

At full strength, Tipperary would perhaps have had a 50-50 chance, but there's been a lot of re-jigging, with Micheál Webster going to full forward, and Francis Devanney back at centre forward. Redser O'Grady won't be there either and he's another loss, because he would have tested Brian Lohan under a high ball. But I'm still sure Ken Hogan has the team he wants, bar the loss of Maher.

Tipperary will also be totally fired up for this. They were well beaten by Clare in the league, but Tipperary were just back from a training holiday, so it will be interesting to see how they respond.

What has impressed me most about Tipperary so far has been their resilience. Limerick were by far the better team the first day, but Tipperary never threw in the towel. John Carroll missed that great goal chance, but if he comes on and gets the same opportunity tomorrow, man, ball and all will be going into the net. He's that type of inspirational player.

But Tipperary will need to do something special if they are to cause a shock. Clare have been so focussed this year. They came out and got blown away by Waterford in their first match last year, and that's in the back of their minds. That shattered their confidence, and set the tone for the year.

They have Tony Griffin back from his studies in Canada, and he's going to be full of hunger. There's nothing like a trip away to refocus a player, and this is what Griffin has been waiting for.

The likes of Seánie McMahon, Colin Lynch and the Lohans know there aren't too many summers left, and they'll be making an almighty effort to get back into a Munster final.

And whether you love him or loathe him, Davy Fitzgerald still has a huge influence on the team. So if Daly can get a big game out of them they'll be well on their way to the final. And, if they do, they won't fear Cork.