SHC QUATER-FINAL:ONE TEAM or other is going to be feeling pretty sorry for themselves when the sun sinks over Semple Stadium tomorrow evening. Clare and Cork have had just as many moments of fluency as they have had of stuttering and either would be inclined to think if they could just have a lease on a few more weeks of summer they might get to be note perfect.
Cork bring the bigger momentum tomorrow. They looked old and spavined against Dublin a fortnight ago but last week against Galway when their backs were to the wall they found a piece of themselves they thought they would never see again.
Clare have to deal with knowing they were strangely inept against Tipperary in the Munster final and that the lack of decent ball to their full-forward line was tantamount to criminal neglect. Clare, who laughed to themselves at their facility for scoring goals earlier in the summer, must be wondering if they mocked the gods in doing so. Mark Flaherty, confidence whittled away by being withdrawn twice, is a substitute and Jonathan Clancy, sprightly but perhaps a little too light, gets a nod but will depend on a decent amount of ball breaking in his vicinity.
Cork will have been worried about the amount of damage Joe Canning did last week but they will recognise Canning is a force of nature equivalent to a hurricane blowing through a trailer park. Clare will be a soft breeze by comparison. Clare must also be slightly worried about their defence which as always is full of solid-shouldered men who would swing on their grandmothers.
In the Munster final however, Tipp pulled reward out of the tactic of running straight at the goal and Frank Lohan looked dithery. Cathal Naughton and Ben O'Connor will have noted the hesitation. And will Clare leave Frank to chaperone Joe Deane assuming somebody fleet of foot is also going to be expended shackling Naughton? On last week's form and with the right sort of ball Deane could cause trouble.
Cork know all about the deficiencies of lone swans when it comes to comprising summer seasons. Was last week in Semple a dying kick or a return to form. Diarmuid O'Sullivan needs a big game to reassure himself and others of his viability and Donal Óg Cusack needs a low profile afternoon.
Clare will give it plenty but the hunch is Cork refound not just a rhythm but their old sense of unity last week. Pat Horgan came on for Timmy McCarthy last weekend, and starts in the forward line. Deane is at full forward while Naughton switches sides. Cusack's in goal and O'Sullivan also starts.
CLARE:P Brennan; P Vaughan, F Lohan, G O'Grady; B Bugler, G Quinn, P Donnellan; B O'Connell (capt), C Lynch; T Carmody, D McMahon, J Clancy; T Griffin, B Nugent, N Gilligan.
CORK:D Óg Cusack; S O'Neill, D O'Sullivan, B Murphy; J Gardiner, R Curran, S Óg Ó hAilpín; T Kenny, J O'Connor; B O'Connor, N McCarthy, P Cronin; C Naughton, J Deane, P Horgan.
Referee:D Murphy (Wexford).
GUIDELINES
In the last episode:Met in the Munster first round in Thurles last year with the "Davy Fitz is Missing" crisis raging. Cork gave runs to Cian O'Connor and Pa Cronin. Cork won by seven points.
On your marks:Clare's biggest problem is dealing with Cork's half-back line. John Gardiner had a turn at full back last week on the spit which Joe Canning set up for roasting defenders and suffered minor singes. He returns to the half-back line tomorrow, two thirds of which always seems to play very well. Barry Nugent comes in for Clare to further test Diarmuid O'Sullivan. If Nugent succeeds, Gardiner may make the same journey as last week.
You bet:Cork attract weight of money after last week and are 4-9 on to win, the draw at 11-1 and Clare 2-1 for a win.
Gaining ground:Cork have a fondness for Semple Stadium. Anybody notice the width of the field had been reduced last week?
Just the ticket:Usual sources and terrace tickets can be bought through the GAA ticket office on 018658657.
Crystal gazing:Clare will give Cork a few things to think about. Cork line to make running repairs. Cork to pull away in last five minutes.
