Liam Sheedy questioned the efficiency of the new sliotar after Clare overcame Kilkenny to claim the Division One National Hurling League title on this week's Sunday Game, but it's the reaction of his fellow pundit Anthony Daly that's sparked some brilliant online reaction.
Sheedy, who led the Premier County to All-Ireland success in 2010 and stopped Kilkenny’s drive for five in the process, aired his thoughts on ‘The Sunday Game’ alongside fellow hurling analyst Anthony Daly.
“I think there’s a slight question mark over the hurling ball, the sliotar,” Sheedy explained when finishing up his analysis of the Division One decider.
“Kilkenny had nine wides in the first half, two balls dropped short. Eoin Murphy had a free just inside his 65 with the breeze, that ball normally hits the back post, it didn’t even make the goals.
“I do think there’s something a little bit different about the ball. Tipp had 19 wides; Limerick had 15 wides, so I think the new ball is taking a bit of time to bed in because I don’t think it’s as easy to put the ball over the bar.
“It’s suiting Aidan McCarthy now whatever has happened the new ball,” joked former Clare captain Daly as McCarthy stole the show for the Banner County, finishing the league final with a personal haul of 2-10 (9f).
Daly's comic timing has gone viral this week: you can almost see the lightbulb going off above his head when the line occurs to him..
Adam Moynihan spotted the moment.
You can tell by Anthony Daly's face that he has an absolute zinger of a one-liner coming pic.twitter.com/mptWP6jlbl
— Adam Moynihan (@AdamMoynihan) April 8, 2024
SEE ALSO: Picking The Team Of The 2024 Allianz National Hurling League
Defending heroics
Sheedy was very complimentary of Clare’s defending however, with Adam Hogan and Conor Cleary in the full back line coming in for particular credit after the heroic display they gave in front of the Clare goal.
With a number of clips backing up his argument, including an inspirational block from corner back Hogan, Sheedy showed how the pair were crucial in the Clare defence and compared them to their manager Brian Lohan.
“Kilkenny thrived on the long ball in the semi-final, but Conor Cleary was outstanding and when Adam Hogan gets it, it’s head up and attack,” continued Sheedy.
“Conor Cleary, the level of commitment he has to go for to the ball is incredible and in the 35th minute of the first half with Clare a point up, Adam Hogan, out in front of Eoin Cody, taking on two men, wins the free and Clare go in two points up.
“A low ball in then in the second half and he (Hogan) was just like a man possessed. There’s a statement of defiance to say, ‘I’m not for turning tonight.’ You think about Brian Lohan in the 90s and the all the time that he went into that inside back line.
“He led the line from there and he inspired the team. I think last night, Adam Hogan and Conor Cleary, I think he’d be very proud of the way they approached it. If they maintain that form in there into the Munster championship, it’s a big plus.”
24 March 2024; Clare manager Brian Lohan during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 semi-final match between Clare and Tipperary at Laois Hire O'Moore Park in Portlaoise, Laois. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
SEE ALSO: Shane O'Donnell Discusses What Makes Brian Lohan Such An Effective Clare Manager
There are bigger tests ahead for Clare and the biggest of all is coming down the tracks in two weeks’ time as they take on All-Ireland champions Limerick in the opening round of the Munster Championship.
It’s a repeat of last season's provincial final which Limerick just edged by one-point, although Clare did come out on top by the same margin when the two faced off during the group stages.
“I’m just like a child on the first week of December, I just can’t wait,” laughed Daly.
“We have a fortnight to wait and then we have 13 weeks of absolute magic ahead of us, starting in Ennis and then later on that afternoon in Walsh Park (with Waterford v Cork).
“I think the feeling for Leinster is possibly, the two big guns (Kilkenny and Galway) will come out and probably will contest the Leinster final. Kilkenny going home on Saturday night, they’re probably saying ‘we will be in the All-Ireland quarter-final’.
“Clare are going home, National League champions, facing into the bearpit that is the Munster Championship and anything can happen.”
