The Banner is flying, but whither Limerick?

While commending Clare on their win, Nicky English is baffled by Limerick's lack of either conviction or direction

In terms of the qualifiers you'd have to wonder whether this is the right system. This was supposed to be the biggest game in this group but it was like a bad challenge. From a Limerick perspective it was uncontested despite the prize on offer - topping the group and a better chance of reaching an All-Ireland semi-final.

Limerick didn't challenge even 40 per cent as hard as they had in the league final last month. I had expected them to move on from last year when they gave a good enough account of themselves against Kilkenny.

This year I felt they had a chance and even told some friends they might be an outside bet for the Munster title.

I was impressed with them in the league final and felt they had fought hard in difficult conditions.

From a Clare perspective, this was satisfactory. I had been reluctant to write off the older players on the basis of the one game against Cork and they played well. The biggest challenge Brian Lohan and Seánie McMahon had came from each other when they went for the same ball and it went out for a 65. Colin Lynch was also on top of his game when the match was there as a contest. I think they all showed that they still have something to offer at this level.

Of the younger players, Jonathan Clancy played very, very well. He's a good hurler and moved well and got three points.

On the whole, Anthony Daly will be happy that they're back in business and likely to top the group, but they still would have preferred more of a test. By the end Barry Nugent was throwing it over from out on the sideline while Limerick couldn't create a goal from a two-on-one position.

The first 10 minutes were promising. Clare were on top, but the scores weren't coming and it reminded me of the Leinster match in Nowlan Park last week, looking as if it would be a tough match, well contested and low scoring.

But once Clare walked in for the first goal the writing was on the wall. There was a total unease in the Limerick full-back line. Tony Griffin had the beating of Mark O'Riordan and Kieran Breen hadn't the experience to cover for that. Even at 1-3 to 0-1 it seemed to be over.

Moving Brian Geary to centre forward didn't work. I was surprised at the move as it would have been a better idea to move him back to full back rather than forward and by the time he had to be replaced after 25 minutes the wheels were coming off for Limerick.

Clare were strong and committed and all resistance had petered out.

Limerick forwards needed space but - and I hate the word gameplan - they had no method at all to try and open up opportunities.

Bit by bit it all fell apart: Geary, replacing the goalkeeper at half-time, having to take of Andrew O'Shaughnessy who didn't touch the ball in the first half. They did get on top for about five or 10 minutes at the start of the second half with a couple of points but soon after Niall Gilligan got a score where he literally limped out on to the ball and turned, unchallenged to hit it over. That killed off Limerick.

Alan Markham played very well for Clare, maintaining the form he showed on Diarmuid O'Sullivan in the Munster final. It's good to see someone who always had such potential deliver. His touch and reading of the game were excellent and I was impressed by his preparedness to lay it off and bring other players into it rather than going for shots all over the place.

But overall - and with my Hurling Development Committee hat on - the season at this stage really needs a good Munster final next week.