PART of the reason the Railway Cups are slightly in remission is the rise of less fashionable Munster counties in hurling. Both Limerick last year and now Clare have responded enthusiastically to representing the province and this afternoon at Ennis, a reasonable crowd is expected to watch six Clare hurlers assist Munster in the attempt to retain their title.

It won't be as straightforward as last year when Munster were able to take the second half off against Ulster who nonetheless nearly caught them. Leinster went to extra time again in this year's semi-final but impressively held off the all-Galway Connacht team who were on a high from the previous week's thrashing of Offaly.

Munster's improved attitude was evident as this time around they destroyed Ulster. They are fancied to succeed today because although Leinster are well served in defence, their attack is unlikely to thrive as much in the company of a formidable Munster back six.

Just when it began to appear as if the constant treachery of the weather had drained the appetite of Ulster's footballers for the Railway Cup, along comes a rousing challenge to concentrate the northerners' minds as they attempt a seventh successive title.

Paidi O Se and his colleagues probably regret that they couldn't hang on in that semi-final at Clones to the narrow leads they held at the end of ordinary and extra time because Ulster are now forewarned. Brian McEniff has, however, been inconvenienced by yesterday's programme of MeKenna Cup matches and will keep his fingers crossed that his selection gets to the starting-line.

It's pushing it a bit to say that Ulster are ripe for the taking but Munster have shown enough to suggest that home advantage can assist in ending a Railway Cup era.