Last year’s trimming from Waterford gave Clare something of a spurt going into their Munster Championship opener, said Banner boss Brian Lohan.
Waterford ran out 11-point winners in the All-Ireland quarter-final last November to knock Clare out of the Championship and Lohan explained: “The big thing from last year was our fitness, we were blown out of it in the last 10 minutes last year.
“So we had a huge amount of work to do over the summer, but we have good faith in our lads, there is good spirit in the group and a good bunch of guys there. So we’ve got good quality to work with.
“It wasn’t extra special motivation but obviously when you are beaten by a team you do want to rally against them and you do want to respond.
“Big challenge obviously for us to respond, but I think we did it ok. Maybe they were a little bit off, probably weren’t as good as what Waterford can be, so they probably have scope for improvement.”
Clare star man Tony Kelly was hampered by an injury in last year’s game but operated in the full-forward line to great effect this time, finishing with 1-12.
Lohan added: “Look, [Conor] Prunty being injured was a big one for Waterford and also Jamie Barron being out as well was a massive loss for them.
“We have one or two lads out, with the attritional nature of the League, that's what you're going to have but certainly Waterford did miss those two guys.”
