Clare selector Louis Mulqueen believes that Kilkenny and Tipperary have raised the bar in senior hurling.

Last year, it took two gripping games to finally see Kilkenny emerge as All-Ireland champions, while Clare could only look on in envy after their year came to a halt much earlier at the hands of Wexford.

The banner make their competitive bow this weekend when they take on Tipperary in the Waterford Crystal Cup at Sixmilebridge on Sunday afternoon.

And Mulqueen admitted to the Clare Champion that they have a lot of catching up to do if they are to regain the crown they won in 2013.

"Clare are in a better position at the moment than we were at this time last year but there is still serious work to be done," stated the selector.

"We slipped a little last year and we have to catch up this season. Kilkenny and Tipperary progressed and brought the game to a new level.

"Fellas came back hungry this year and I hope that this is positive. I hope we can continue the conveyor belt and bring the new lads coming in to the level we need then to be at."

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