Ready or not, Waterford should have enough in the tank

Clare v Waterford:WATERFORD'S TIME of the year arrives but the shadow of 2006 hangs over the match. Two years ago with injury and suspension blighting their provincial championship, Justin McCarthy's team sidled off without being able to give Munster their best shot.

This is admittedly different in that if the champions can stay on their feet tomorrow the missing players will start returning in time for the semi-final and final. But after a listless league, it's hard to judge what stage of readiness they've reached.

Dan Shanahan is just back after injury and Séamus Prendergast has also been hampered. How quickly can they pick up the rhythm? Ditto Clare's returning trio of Tony Griffin, Tony Carmody and Diarmuid McMahon - all short of match practice. Shane Casey's name was inadvertently left out of the programme but he's on the match panel and likely to see action in the Waterford attack.

Any panic and indiscipline in the champions' defence will be punished by Mark Flaherty whose NHL campaign yielded 5-42 (more than 1-8 a match), the vast majority from dead balls. Brian Phelan will do a decent defensive job in Ken McGrath's place but he won't have the same range of artillery.

Word in the champions' neck of the woods is the trip to Portugal worked out well and improved hurling and team cohesiveness.

It will have needed to because Michael McNamara will send Clare out blazing and any lack of interest will be petrol on the fire. CLARE: P Brennan; G O'Grady, F Lohan, D Clancy; B Bugler, C Plunkett, P Donnellan; B O'Connell (capt), C Lynch; D McMahon, T Griffin, J Clancy; N Gilligan, T Carmody, M Flaherty.

WATERFORD: C Hennessy; B Phelan, K Moran, A Kearney; T Browne, D Prendergast, J Kennedy; M Walsh (capt), D Bennett; D Shanahan, G Hurney, S Molumphy; J Mullane, S Prendergast, E McGrath.

Referee: Dickie Murphy (Wexford).

Guidelines

In the last episode: Four years ago Waterford were stumbling from a NHL final defeat and Clare were hot favourites. Instead they got irradiated. Just a season later the tables were turned when Waterford leaked four goals in Ennis in an important qualifier match.

You bet: Not much value in this match. If you feel Clare are going to win they can be got at 9-4, whereas Waterford are 2-5 or slightly better. The draw is 10-1. Clare are available on the handicap at evens (+3).

On your marks: Centrefield will be more important than usual because of Waterford's injury problems. Ken McGrath's absence means the physical Clare forwards will be able to exert more pressure if the supply flows into them. At the other end Waterford have enough fire-power to do the job if they get the raw material.

Gaining ground: Since its redevelopment the Gaelic Grounds hasn't had many big matches and this doesn't look likely to break the trend. It's a difficult venue - cross-country on poor roads - for Waterford supporters and indications are they'll be voting with their feet up. Obviously closer to Clare, the Gaelic Grounds is also a happier venue than Thurles where the counties previously met in the Munster championship although the most recent visit there ended in defeat to Tipperary. Waterford haven't played a match of note in Limerick since the 2004 NHL final.

Just the ticket: Family (one adult and one juvenile) tickets available for the uncovered stand at the Caherdavin End on Sunday morning from 11.30 for €30. A limited number of Mackey Stand tickets will also be available at €30. €10 refund available to senior citizens using the stands. Entry to the terrace at the turnstiles (adults €20, students and senior citizens €15).

Crystal gazing: How far off their best are Waterford likely to be? Not enough to let Clare capitalise.