By Declan Rooney

Clare's Division 1B campaign is all about building confidence in the squad by winning games ahead of the summer, according to selector Louis Mulqueen.

After losing six of nine games by a one-point margin in 2015, Clare's confidence was in a fragile state, especially after their relegation from Division 1 and their losses to Limerick and Cork in the championship.

Victory over Sunday's opponents Offaly in the Qualifiers provided little solace, and Mulqueen says the Clare management see Division 1B as a great chance to give players the chance to express themselves away from the hectic nature of the top flight.

"Where we came from the last couple of years was so competitive. Every game was like championship. You were at 100 per cent pace in every game and we came unstuck in it last year and were relegated," said Mulqueen.

"This year, while there is still some very tricky games ahead, we are looking to get confidence back in the lads, to try and start to win games that we lost. We lost an awful lot of tight games last year in league and champions. We are trying to get our heads around that this year and hopefully the league can start that process for us and get back winning.

"We had two poor years are winning an All-Ireland. We wanted to progress after that win, but the last two year didn't happen that way for us. Starting Sunday, by giving Offaly the greatest respect, we just have to worry about our own performance and play well.

"It's anxious rather than nervous at this stage. But if we can learn to close out those game that we lost last year, we'll have done well from the league."

Definitely out of Sunday's league opener for Clare are All Stars Tony Kelly, Pat Donnellan and Podge Collins with long term injuries, while Darrach Honan and picked up a knock in training this week, and Shane Golden is also doubtful to face Offaly.

Defender Séadna Morey won't feature this weekend either after hip surgery, but Mulqueen says he could be back for the tail end of the league all going well, while Collins is now unlikely to play any league hurling, with five games in the space of five weeks.

"Podge is back doing light training, but his return time is March or April. He probably won't see any league, but you'd be hopeful that he will come back into it well as the year goes on. And the character that he is, he is full of enthusiasm, which is a huge plus to the set-up this year.

"Seadna Morey still hasn't returned yet. He is still four or five weeks away from action.

"Offaly under a new manager look to be progressing well. You can't doubt the talent of Shane Dooley and Joe Bergin, players of that calibre are top class. They are coming to Ennis with a point to prove and that is a fact to be very wary of."

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