Interview: Gavin Cummiskey hears from Tony Carmody about the particular urgency of this summer's campaign.

This is Anthony Daly's third season as Clare manager. The previous two have ended in inquisitions (Will he go? Will he stay?) that overshadowed some decent results.

Daly's former manager Ger Loughnane has been the most noticeable sniper from the sidelines. All hell broke loose in the county a few months back when accusations flew over mock shooting galleries. It got serious to the point of hilarity.

The current Clare hurling panel hardly fluttered an eyelid. In just over a week they play either Waterford or Limerick in the national league semi-final: an ideal hit-out with the championship looming.

Earlier this week, Tony Carmody took time out from the Limerick city beat to collect the Vodafone "player of the month" award for March. Garda Carmody put the questions about Daly's future into context.

"I think last year Daly said it was his last year as well. I think he mentioned that alright, but the thing with Anthony is that when he took on the job it was to win the All-Ireland. I'd say he won't go until he actually finishes that so hopefully it will be this year."

That's a player perspective. The only one that really counts.

This Clare team have learned some valuable lessons since Daly came in. On the eve of the championship two years ago they hosted an exceptionally well organised media day only to be badly scalped by Waterford in the Munster opener. Last year, after showing solid form to make the league final, they were obliterated by Kilkenny.

"Getting to the league final and playing the way we played probably set us back a few games. Then it took us a while to get back into it but once we did we produced great performances against Wexford and Cork. Possibly, we could have got to an All-Ireland final."

The heroic All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Cork resuscitated a dour hurling championship. The sides renewed acquaintance last Sunday, Clare winning by two scores. Neither starting XV reflected championship strength. Carmody, for one, only came off the bench late on.

He was keen to stress the irrelevancy of this victory by repeated reference to the championship meeting on May 28th - the only game that matters for either team.

"They were missing a good few players. The two O'Connor's (Ben and Jerry), Joe Deane, Kieran Murphy, Neil Ronan. I don't know if they were injured or they weren't showing their full hand. I'm sure they will all be playing in a few weeks.

"The game itself was a very good game. Very fast-paced. Probably the fastest game we've played this year in the league, but looking at team performances and how they were lined out, in a couple of weeks there will be no comparison."

One suspects this summer will define the Daly managerial era. For sure, the old guard require the likes of Carmody to carry the weight of expectation.

"In fairness to our trainer Johnny Glynn, every year he seem to reinvent himself. The training they're doing is absolutely brilliant. I suppose it's torture at times but in the long term, come championship, you have all the work done."

They seem well primed. More so than before anyway. Thurles. May 28th. Stick it in the diary.