SHC QUARTER-FINALS:CLARE MANAGER Mike McNamara has praised All-Ireland hurling quarter-final opponents Cork for their heroic performance against Galway in last Saturday's Thurles qualifier.

Fourteen-man Cork defied the odds to reignite their championship charge, just a week after they were written off following a below-par display against Dublin.

McNamara reflected: "Anybody writing off Cork would need a serious assessment of themselves. It was a great game, exciting to the end and Cork showed they are a side to be reckoned with, despite some people writing them off. One only has to look at the team and the players they have, massive players. Questions were asked at half-time of some of these men and they answered them forever."

Meanwhile, McNamara has reported a clean bill of health ahead of next weekend's meeting with Cork. Éire Óg forward Danny Russell has been called up to the panel, while Wolfe Tones' Declan O'Rourke has been let go.

Alan Markham linked up with the squad last week and McNamara is pleased with the player's physical condition.

McNamara planned to run the rule over a few players in last night's Munster Under-21 semi-final against Cork, with Sixmilebridge's Caimin Morey and Conor Cooney of O'Callaghan's Mills linked with call-ups to the senior squad.

The manager explained: "The panel is open-ended and we're in a scenario where there are two sections in the championship. Section one is Munster and section two is the All-Ireland series. Our job is focused on a number of years and we're also looking down the road."

Clare warmed up for the Cork challenge by defeating Wexford in a challenge in Templemore last Saturday. Interestingly, centre back Conor Plunkett, who was given a torrid time by Tipperary's Séamus Callinan in the Munster final, lined out at full back against Wexford and was flanked by Frank Lohan and Gerry O'Grady.