AN All-Ireland Final in June? Not to Clare. And Ger Loughnane, the ever pragmatic Clare manager, has managed to keep his men very focussed in the run up to Sunday's televised, all ticket clash with neighbours Limerick in the Munster Senior Hurling Champions ship semi final at The Gaelic Grounds.
I'm looking on it as a first round match for us, nothing else," said Loughnane. "It is a case of viewing things quite differently: the general public sees it one way, but the players view it another." Given the hurling renaissance that has swept through both counties in the last few years, a meeting of All Ireland champions Clare and Limerick, their predecessors as Munster king pins, even at a provincial semi final stage, exerts a certain magic.
And the goldrush like stampede for tickets the capacity has been limited to 40,000 for the occasion - is testimony to the phenomenal interest in the game.
The pre match hype might resemble an All Ireland decider, but Loughnane is aware it is just the first step towards retaining the Liam McCarthy Cup.
"It is great for hurling," admitted Loughnane. "I mean, here we are in the middle of a European soccer championship - and all anyone wants to talk about is a hurling match. Great!" Has it been hard to keep minds concentrated on the job at hand? "No. We were through a lot last year, so it is easier to deal with things. Clare did so well last year and Limerick are doing so well this year that it has led to great expectations and plenty of intrigue.
Especially amongst the public. And the fact we are neighbours just adds to everything - but that is what makes the game," he added.
The fact Loughnane and his fellow selectors have opted to start with the same 15 players who played in September's All Ireland Final - resisting the temptation to use Ronan O'Hara, who made a major impression during the National League, or Eamon Taaffe, the goal scorer against Offaly - has surprised some observers.
However, the manager is equally surprised at such a reaction. He said: "Some people think it is a bit unusual to stick with the same team. But they did the job for us last year, so why not show faith in them? Everyone is in really good shape." An indication of the huge interest in the match is that the Garda have implemented stringent traffic control in the general environs of The Gaelic Grounds for the semi final, with a one way system in operation before and after the match.
Nobody expects the match itself to be a one way traffic. And Clare centre half back Sean McMahon is looking forward to resuming rivalry with Limerick's attacking leader Gary Kirby.
"Gary is unquestionably one of the finest forwards in the game," said McMahon. "Limerick will be keen to gain revenge for last year's defeat. I'm sure they feel that we caught them on the hop a bit and would love to make amends.
"Limerick did well in their first match with Cork so they are obviously in really good form. And we have prepared well. It should be a good game".
Kerry, meanwhile still have some concerns over the fitness of centrefielder Jerome O'Sullivan, despite his inclusion in the team to face Tipperary in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship semi final at Tralee tomorrow evening.
O'Sullivan still has some stiffness in his wrist after doctors removed the plaster on his hand injury last weekend, but it is hoped he will be able to face Tipperary as Kerry attempt to defy the odds.
Connacht champions Galway have made just one change in the team for their provincial semifinal showdown with Leitrim at Tuam on Sunday. Fergal O'Neill, who was introduced as a substitute in the second half for Tommie Wilson against Sligo last Sunday, keeps the right half forward position.
Jarlath Fallon, the full forward and captain, who sustained a thumb injury in the replay win over Sligo last Sunday, has been passed fit to face Leitrim in a repeat of last year's semi final. Fergal Gavin has also with held the challenge of fit again Kevin Walsh to partner Austin Leonard at centrefield.
