Column: Clare should reap dividend through the back door

The stats don't lie and Clare will have much to ponder ahead of their qualifier trek at the start of July.

Against Waterford in Sunday's Munster semi-final, the Banner hit 11 wides and were somewhat flat throughout. On the sideline, Davy Fizgerald and Donal Óg Cusack lacked their usual energy as they sought to drive on their troops.

This latest loss only adds to Clare's provincial woes. It's 1999 since they last triumphed in the province and their previous final appearance was in 2008.

After the defeat to the Déise, Fitzgerald is anticipating that his side will up their intensity levels as they aim to jump the two hurdles that will see them reach an All-Ireland quarter-final.

“We’ve a national title won already. The confidence won’t drain too much. We’ll be back fighting," he told RTÉ Sport.

“I’ll tell you one thing, you’ll see a lot more fired-up Clare than you saw on Sunday, that’s all I can promise you.”

Cast your mind back to 2013 and Clare were similarly underwhelming when they lost 0-23 to 0-15 to Cork in the Munster semi. Yet they found the momentum to go on and win an All-Ireland, getting revenge on the Rebels in the decider. 

In looking at this year's back-door participants, the likes of Cork and Wexford are struggling, and while there are others who may fancy a crack off Clare, it would be a surprise if the latter did not make the last six in the Liam MacCarthy race.

Former Dublin goalkeeper Alan Nolan expects Davy Fitz's men to bounce back and make their mark in the qualifiers.

Speaking on RTÉ Sport's GAA podcast Jones' Road, he said: "Clare will be dangerous in the qualifiers. Before the defeat to Waterford everyone was saying they were back to their best. You wouldn’t judge them one game but I would not like to draw them, either in Ennis or Thurles.

"Other teams in the back door don’t carry the same threat as Clare. They have the speed, strength and, above all the squad that can see them go far in this year's championship."

Also on the podcast was Wexford football goalkeeeper, Anthony Masterson, who added: "The thing about the qualifiers is that you have to be motivated and in Davy Fitzgerald, Clare have the right man that can drive them on."