Hurlers have to banish Banner Blues

Date Published: 23-Jun-2009

THE Galway hurlers will face their near rivals Clare in a mouth-watering All-Ireland qualifier clash at Cusack Park, Ennis on July 11, after the draw was made on Sunday evening.

Although the Tribesmen suffered the ignominy of defeat to All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in the Leinster semi-final last weekend, the Westerners showed a great deal of pride and heart and no little amount of guile in presenting their challenge to the Cats.

They will now look to build on that very positive performance when they face Clare in a ‘winner takes all’ qualifier tie on Saturday, July 11. Speaking on the draw, Galway manager John McIntyre said: “In terms of difficulty, it is the least desirable draw we could have asked for, but in terms of keeping the players and team management on their toes, it is probably the best draw.”

Indeed, Galway will take nothing for granted heading to Ennis, particularly as they have only recorded two championship wins in their 11 previous meetings. The last victory came against Clare in Ennis in 2003, when the Tribesmen accounted for the home side by a single point, 1-15 to 2-11. Their only other win before that was way back in 1961, when Galway defeated the Banner County by 2-13 to 0-7 in the first round of the Munster Championship.

In contrast, Clare have…