Preview: All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final - Clare v Limerick
Diarmaid Byrnes, Limerick, and Tony Kelly and Shane O'Donnell, Clare, in Munster SHC action. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Click here to listen to an interview with Clare's Seán Rynne.
Click here to read about Clare's approach at underage level.
All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final
Sunday July 5
Clare v Limerick, Croke Park, 4pm, RTE/BBC
There is usually drama when these neighbours collide in Championship.
So, that's why Limerick's facile Munster round robin win over Clare in Ennis was a surprise.
Clare have delivered defiant displays against Limerick, especially in the Brian Lohan era. Will another one be added to the list at Croke Park on Sunday?
It has been a mixed campaign for Clare, who've registered Championship wins over Waterford, Tipperary, and Dublin, while losing to Limerick and Cork.
Defensive injury concerns mean there is a bit of worry, but the Clare panel is still nicely stocked with accomplished hurlers.
Seán Rynne has been relevant for Clare in 2026, while Shane O'Donnell, Peter Duggan, and Mark Rodgers are all crafty performers.
Tony Kelly has excelled at GAA headquarters too so Clare could cause favourites Limerick plenty of bother.
John Kiely's panel is liberally sprinkled with gifted and decorated players, who've brought unprecedented success to Limerick.
The Munster Final victory at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh showed that there is still a drive and desire in Limerick to glean further silverware.
Dan Morrissey, Diarmaid Byrnes, Darragh O'Donovan, and Cian Lynch are maintaining high standards, while the continued development of Aidan O'Connor bodes well too.
Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Conor Cleary, Darragh Lohan; Diarmuid Ryan, David McInerney, Niall O'Farrell; Tony Kelly, Ryan Taylor; Cathal Malone, Mark Rodgers, Seán Rynne; Shane Meehan, Peter Duggan, Shane O'Donnell.
Subs: Eamonn Foudy, John Conlon, David Fitzgerald, Ian Galvin, Cian Galvin, Diarmuid Stritch, David Reidy, Aron Shanagher, John Conneally, Daithí Lohan, Dylan McMahon.
Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Seán Finn, Dan Morrissey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, William O'Donoghue, Kyle Hayes; Cian Lynch, Darragh O'Donovan; Gearóid Hegarty, Aidan O'Connor, Cathal O'Neill; Aaron Gillane, Shane O'Brien, Peter Casey.
Subs: Colin Ryan, Mike Casey, Colin Coughlan, Adam English, Fintan Fitzgerald, Matthew Fitzgerald, Hugh Flanagan, Ethan Hurley, Darragh Langan, Tom Morrissey, David Reidy.
