While he expects Clare and Limerick to have long championship campaigns, Ger 'Sparrow' O'Loughlin believes the local rivals will be desperate to avoid defeat this afternoon.

As one of the stars of Clare's 1995 and '97 Liam MacCarthy Cup triumphs and manager of the Kilmallock team that reached this year's All-Ireland club final, O'Loughlin is well qualified to comment on the first big hurling encounter of the summer.

"Sometimes, going through the backdoor can stand to a team as it provides a couple of more games that will give lads time to settle and this can work to a team's favour. However, nobody wants to lose this one and they won't be thinking like that on the day," he told the Clare Champion.

"Clare will have a major say in the destination of the All-Ireland title this year. A few lads have to step up on form. Fellas need to decide to become leaders and they will complement the likes of David Reidy and Bobby Duggan, who have made a huge impression. I am very hopeful that this will be the year for them to stand up again and if they do, we will be in a good position come August."

The Clarecastle man and former Clare manager added: "Both teams are capable of producing a really high-scoring affair and I hope that, defensively, we will be able to keep them out, while we need our forwards to be firing on all cylinders.

"Limerick will be trying to make up for the loss in Croke Park in 2013. They have been waiting for the chance and I am expecting that Limerick won't lie down. It will be helter-skelter."

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