Clare and Tipperary renew rivalries on Wednesday night in the Munster U20 Hurling Championship Final in what promises to be another compelling chapter in a growing underage rivalry between the counties.
Tipperary will undoubtedly arrive seeking revenge after Clare’s dramatic injury-time smash-and-grab victory in Thurles earlier in the campaign, when two late goals and a point snatched a scarcely believable one-point win for the Banner. Yet, if there is a county carrying an even greater sense of unfinished business into this decider, it may well be Clare.
Last year’s Munster Final defeat still lingers. On that occasion, Clare’s spirited second-half comeback was halted in cruel fashion when a Tipperary penalty, coupled with a Clare black card, swung the momentum decisively. Cathal English struck for a second major within minutes and Tipp powered on from there, eventually claiming the All-Ireland title with a commanding nine-point victory over Kilkenny.
That triumph formed part of a stunning underage era for the Premier County. Alongside last season’s U20 All-Ireland success, Tipperary have captured minor All-Ireland titles in 2022 and 2024 while Thurles CBS, Nenagh CBS and Cashel Community School have shared the last four Harty Cups between them. Clare teams have often found themselves on the wrong side of those occasions.
Now, the Banner find themselves at a point where progress and promise must begin to translate into silverware.
This side, however, possesses its own winning pedigree. Captained by Broadford’s Eoghan Gunning, many of this group tasted All-Ireland success at minor level and throughout this campaign they have repeatedly shown winning instincts, even when performances may not have been perfect.
There is little doubt Clare have improved incrementally with every outing. They were perhaps fortunate to edge past Waterford in Sixmilebridge with Fred Hegarty’s late goal in the opening round and, although better, still showed signs of rustiness when overcoming Limerick a week later. The dramatic late recovery against Tipperary followed before four Cork goals consigned Clare to third place in the group stages.
Yet last week’s Munster semi-final victory over Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh felt like a genuine breakthrough performance — arguably Clare’s most complete display of the season. There was greater intensity and control to their play, most especially when the home side struck the net for a three point lead entering the final ten minutes. The return to fitness of James Hegarty and Ronan Keane has undoubtedly strengthened the panel at the perfect time.
There was, however, a misfortunate setback with the loss of Kilmaley’s Joe Casey to a hamstring injury during that victory in Cork. Casey had been enjoying an outstanding championship and was hugely influential again before being forced off. Clare supporters will also be anxiously awaiting news on the fitness of half-back Jamie Moylan, who was a late absentee ahead of last week’s semi-final.
One of the more intriguing developments in recent weeks has been the emergence of Thomas O’Connor at full-forward. Only drafted into the panel following the opening round, O’Connor has given Clare a far more direct attacking outlet and his physical presence inside has added a new dimension to the Banner attack.
There is attacking firepower elsewhere too. Fred Hegarty remains a player capable of producing a match-winning display and was arguably Clare’s standout performer in this fixture twelve months ago. Meanwhile, Marco Cleary’s two-goal haul against Cork suggested the Éire Óg forward is rediscovering the electric form that illuminated last year’s Clare club championship campaign.
Hegarty v Waterford, Moylan v Limerick, Costelloe v. Tipp – take your pick last week - A different performer has stepped forward for Terence Fahy’s side in almost every outing this season and Clare will hope that trend continues at the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Wednesday night. More players still have the potential to make their mark — and Clare may well need every one of them if this talented group is to make the breakthrough many feel it deserves and capture Munster silverware at this grade for the first time since 2014.
Against Brendan Cummins’ reigning All-Ireland champions, there could hardly be a sterner examination. But perhaps that is exactly when this team is at its most dangerous.
