There is never much love lost when neighbours Clare and Limerick meet.

The rivalry has produced some unforgettable championship battles over the years and Sunday brings another – this time outside the home comforts of Munster's Round Robin and with the stakes as high as they can be. There is no safety net. The winners will be back in Croke Park for an All-Ireland Final in a fortnight's time. For the losers, the road will have run out.

Clare know the size of the task in front of them.

Limerick have become accustomed to winning big knockout games in Croke Park. Last year's All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Dublin was a rare setback for a side that has dominated the championship for much of the past decade and there has been a noticeable determination about them ever since. Their celebrations after claiming a seventh Munster title in eight seasons at Páirc Ui Chaoimh in early June reflected that. It was another provincial title, but they celebrated it like their first.

That ability to reset and find fresh motivation has been one of the defining traits of this Limerick team. The talent is there, but so too is the drive to keep improving. John Kiely has also been able to patiently introduce players like Aidan O'Connor, Adam English and Shane O'Brien into an already settled side without disrupting what was already one of the strongest panels in the country.

As for Clare, there are still question marks despite the quarter-final win over Dublin.

The Banner looked dangerous going forward once again in Thurles. Kelly, Rynne, Duggan and Meehan amongst the most potent in a 0-29 tally.  But there were nervous moments at the back. Éibhear Quilligan produced one of his best displays in a Clare jersey, making a series of outstanding saves to deny Dublin what could have been a decisive goal return. The performance probably left as many questions as answers.

Bar one. Clare are still standing.

Whatever happened in the Munster Championship or the quarter-final counts for zip now. Brian Lohan's side have earned another crack at one of the best teams of the modern era and they will travel to Croke Park believing they can produce their best performance of the season.

The build-up could hardly be more different from when the sides met in Ennis back in April. Clare may have carried a weight of expectation that afternoon. The result was a languid surrender on our home patch. One that hurt - and is not the usual standard set by this team. This time the favourites tag sits with Limerick.

Few outside the county are giving Clare much chance and, based on this year's form, that is understandable. But inside the Clare camp they know exactly what will be required. Matching Limerick's work-rate, intensity and physicality is the minimum requirement. Very few teams have managed it consistently over the past eight years, but Clare know they have and are again capable of reaching that level when everything clicks.

There is another motivation too.

For some of Clare's most decorated players, Sunday's semi-final could possibly be one of the final opportunities to compete for the Liam MacCarthy Cup. That alone should ensure there is no shortage of hunger in the dressing room.

Lohan and his management team will also be hoping they have as many bodies available as possible. David Reidy's injury against Dublin was the obvious blow, but there were also concerns over David McInerney after he picked up a late leg injury, while Conor Cleary was forced off during the opening half. Their fitness will be closely monitored in the days leading up to throw-in. Clare are due to name their side on the Clare GAA App on Friday morning. 

For most pundits, the championship has looked like a two-team race for some time.

The Banner now have 70 minutes to prove otherwise.

Best of luck lads.

#WeAreTheBanner