Clare's all-conquering U21 hurlers will face arguably their sternest test in four years when they play host to Waterford in Wednesday's Munster semi-final at Cusack Park.

The Deise are backboned by players from their 2013 All-Ireland winning minor team and have already accounted for Cork in the quarter-final.
While Clare can call on senior panellists Shane O'Donnell, Bobby Duggan, David Conroy, Michael O'Malley and Kevin Hehir, their manager Donal Moloney accepts they face the toughest possible opener in their quest to win a four in-a-row of All-Ireland U21 titles.

"Waterford are the favourites," he admitted in the Clare Champion.

"They have a big sprinkling of senior players and they are having a fantastic year. There are shades of what we had in 2013. Waterford have really impressed this year and they have modified their style of play a little bit. They have done brilliantly to date.

"It's been a great period for U21 hurling in Clare. This group has the biggest break of all over the last three or four years in terms of personnel. They are trying to forge their own way. We don't refer to what was done in the last three years."

Tweet

Most Read Stories