GAA PREVIEW SHC Tipperary v Clare:TIPPERARY GO into this year's Munster hurling final with the stronger profile. Anyone who believes team sport more often than not rewards experience and the paying of dues will understand that favouritism.
This will be the county's third provincial final in four years and sixth this decade, with a return to date of just one title, seven years ago. The team sustained a crushingly disappointing semi-final defeat last year in the second replay against Limerick.
Under the management of Liam Sheedy there has been regrouping and an impressive rebound that has already scooped this season's National League and blown apart Cork's venerable home record in last month's semi-final. In the context of that record of earnest toil Clare are complete novices.
Michael McNamara has already guided the team to twice as many championship victories this season as the county had enjoyed all decade.
There are arguments against Clare: their sense of achievement already at this championship's recovery and the streaky source of the semi-final win - albeit deserved - over Limerick suggest Tipperary's steadier form should be maintained.
But that's to downplay the benefit momentum brings to a young team; so although neither Waterford nor Limerick will have been satisfied by their performances, Clare have developed quickly.
The defence has cohered round Conor Plunkett at centre back, with individual performances intelligent and adaptable. Centrefield has been a real success and the forwards have started to get goals.
Tipperary's victory in this fixture three years ago was fired by the success of Micheál Webster at full forward.
Webster starts on the bench but how Clare configure themselves to deal with Lar Corbett's roving game will be key to maintaining the stability in the absence of which Tipp will do damage.
Frank Lohan will hardly follow the speedy Thurles forward on his travels but Pat Vaughan was comfortable - to the point of scoring a goal - performing in a mobile role against Limerick.
Gerry O'Grady is switched to Kelly's corner but Clare won't want that to develop into a purely personal battle.
The disparity between the teams' overall form in the National Hurling League was not, surprisingly, reflected in their match last spring when Clare salvaged a draw from an unpromising situation in the closing minutes.
Conor O'Mahony is believed likely to start as selected despite injury concerns, with Declan Fanning and Benny Dunne options if the shoulder doesn't make it.
It will be a major setback for Tipp if the centre back cannot play; Clare's half forwards provided a real cutting edge in the semi-final, after the injury-enforced departure of Tony Griffin, and disruption at the heart of the line would weaken Tipp.
The favourites' half forwards have been their most problematic line, and here Sheedy makes two changes, bringing in John O'Brien and Pat Kerwick to flank Séamus Callinan, who had an impressive senior championship debut in Cork.
Clare's wins over Waterford and Limerick owed something to defensive chaos among the opposition. Even allowing for the worst-case scenario of O'Mahony not starting, that's unlikely to happen tomorrow.
Conversely Tipp's fitness, which has given them an edge this season, is unlikely to be a decisive factor against any team trained by McNamara.
As has been widely flagged, Tipperary's bench is stronger both in terms of the quality of player available and the potential for varying the game plan.
TIPPERARY:B Cummins; E Buckley, P Curran, C O'Brien; E Corcoran, C O'Mahony, S Maher; J Woodlock, S McGrath; P Kerwick, S Callinan, J O'Brien; E Kelly, L Corbett, S Butler.
CLARE:P Brennan; P Vaughan, F Lohan, G O'Grady; G Quinn, C Plunkett, P Donnellan; B OConnell, C Lynch; D McMahon, T Griffin, T Carmody; N Gilligan, M Flaherty, J Clancy.
Referee:D Kirwan (Cork).
Guidelines Munster SHC final
In the last episode:Although the counties are best remembered for some defining clashes in the 1990s they have also met frequently this decade and to date Clare have won just once - in 2003 - which until this season was the county's only win in Munster this decade.
You bet:Tipp are strongly fancied at 4-9, with Clare 9-4 and the draw 10-1. On the handicap Tipperary (-3) are 10-11 and Clare (+3) 11-10.
On your marks:Front runners for the centrefield All Stars so far are Tipperary's Shane McGrath and Clare's Brian O'Connell, so their clash will have a significant bearing. The veteran Colin Lynch has provided strong support for O'Connell, whereas James Woodlock's form has been less even but his running game in full flow would create difficulties.
Gaining ground:The Gaelic Grounds is, surprisingly, not a happy venue for Clare in this fixture despite its proximity. Including the watershed hammering of 1993, this will be just the third time the counties have met in Limerick and Tipp have won the previous two. The intervening seven championship ties were in Cork and split evenly at three wins each plus one draw.
Just the ticket:There are 1,500 terrace tickets (€20) left and they will be on sale this evening at the Munster minor football final replay between Tipperary and Kerry in Ennis (5pm) as well as at the Limerick-Offaly All-Ireland qualifier in the Gaelic Grounds at 7pm. Tomorrow any remaining stocks will be on sale in the Davin Arms and Woodfield House hotels in Limerick.
Crystal gazing:Great revival season so far for Clare but Tipperary have more experience and a steadier defence than either Waterford or Limerick.
