Clare Hurling

Clare face a crucial Munster Championship showdown with neighbours Limerick this weekend, with RTÉ analyst Neil McManus suggesting that boss Brian Lohan could be forced to blood John Conlon to shore up Clare's defensive vulnerabilities. The Banner have work to do ahead of this provincial derby, and McManus's analysis points to the experienced Conlon as a potential solution to plug the gaps that have been exposed so far this season. It's a high-stakes fixture that could define Clare's championship trajectory, with Limerick providing the perfect measuring stick in what promises to be an absorbing inter-county battle.