Donal Óg Cusack and Liam Sheedy both have reservations about Clare's chances of winning this year's All-Ireland Hurling Championship.
In their All-Ireland quarter-final on Saturday, Clare hammered Dublin by 18 points. They will meet Kilkenny in the the semi-finals in a fortnight.
[See Also: Joe Canning Couldn't Resist Cheeky Jackie Tyrrell Dig After Galway Win Over Tipperary]
[See Also: 48 Standout Names Playing GAA In America This Summer]
"They are still a work in progress in this regard," Sheedy said on The Sunday Game about Clare's shooting efficiency.
"They have to improve significantly again in two weeks' time. When you think about the first 18 minutes of the game, they had 12 shots [from open play] and only converted four of those. Some of their shot selection, it left a lot to be desired. Maybe it is a hangover from the Munster final.
"This is a team that's creating a lot of chances, and here we are, trying to pick holes in a team that's scored 5-26. The stakes are going to be rising very, very soon, and to a level that says you can't cough up this amount of chances.
"Brian and his management team have done a great job. Clare are serious contenders but they'll have to look at how they are converting because their decision-making has to come up a level if they are really going to conquer an All-Ireland championship."
24 June 2023; John Conlon of Clare, who was subsequently substituted, is attended to medical attention during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Quarter Final match between Clare and Dublin at TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Cusack outlined some concerns about Clare's defence.
"We know Conor Cleary is missing," said the former Cork goalkeeper.
"They brought in Seadna Morey. The one thing you don't want as an inside defender is huge spaces in front of you.
"I can guarantee you Kilkenny are looking at that. That type of defensive structure is made for the likes of Walter (Walsh), TJ (Reid), and Eoin Cody.
"With question marks of John Conlon [and his fitness], if he's not in place... He is probably the most naturally inclined to be coming back into that position. It's definitely a huge watch out for them."
Despite winning easily against Dublin, @LiamLSheedy feels Clare's decision-making needs to step up a notch
📺 Watch the #SundayGame live on @RTE2 & @RTEplayer: https://t.co/HbvpoI80tt #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/Y573GJfotr
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 25, 2023
Conlon exited Saturday's victory against Dublin after just 24 minutes due to a head injury. He joined Cleary and David McInerney on the sideline who were not fit enough to feature on Saturday.
"John Conlon and Conor Cleary are the spine of their defence," said Sheedy.
"They are gone without those. They didn't have David McInerney [against Dublin]. They really do need to get their pillars in place.
23 April 2023;Conor Cleary of Clare under pressure from Tipperary players, Seamus Kennedy left, and Alan Tynan, passes to his teammate Diarmuid Ryan during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 1 match between Clare and Tipperary at Cusack Park in Ennis, Clare. Photo by John Sheridan/Sportsfile.
"Modern day defending is that everybody looks after themselves - you can see the level of space that's creating. Somebody, at some stage, has to realise that 'There's trouble behind me. I've got to get back'. They don't seem to have that protective mindset at times, especially when John Conlon and Conor Cleary are not on the pitch."
Cusack added: "You contrast it with Galway's approach. You need to be able to mark man-for-man but you need to be able to defend as a team.
"We always talk about the chain. There are certain situations when the ball is going into certain positions that you are adding no value. You need to protect against the highest risk, which is a goal, so you need to defend as a team, as well as one-on-one."
See Also: 35 Standout Names Playing Hurling In America This Summer
