Throw-in
Cusack Park, Sunday 27 May, 3.30pm
Online
Live blog on RTÉ.ie and the RTÉ News Now App from 3pm.
Radio
Live updates on Sunday Sport, RTÉ Radio 1 from Martin Kiely.
TV
Highlights of the game, along with all the weekend's action, on The Sunday Game, RTÉ 2, from 9.30pm.
Past 5 Championship Meetings
2016 Waterford 1-21 Clare 0-17 (Munster semi-final)
2013 Clare 2-20 Waterford 1-15 (Munster quarter-final)
2012 Waterford 2-17 Clare 1-18 (Munster semi-final)
2010 Waterford 0-22 Clare 1-15 (Munster semi-final)
2008 Clare 2-26 Waterford 0-23 (Munster quarter-final)
Form Guide
Clare did create more than few goal chances in their defeat to Cork and so offering fans some encouragement ahead of their date with the Déise in Ennis.
"That final ball is either too long or too short" was Ger Loughnane's summation of their attacking threat on Leeside, while adding that "the performance was so much more encouraging than anything we've seen in the last few years".
In the end, Cork probably had a bit more smarts that saw them edge a close encounter. Crucially, they were more clinical when it came to getting scores down the stretch.
For the first time since 1997, the Banner will enjoy home comforts in a Munster championship game, with Limerick also set to visit the venue in June.
Waterford last played a competitive match on 18 March, a day when a defeat to Cork saw them drop down to Division 1B in the league.
A week earlier, Derek McGrath's side picked up their second win in this year's spring campaign when they overcame Sunday's opponents 1-23 to 1-20 at Walsh Park. Patrick Curran hit 1-13 for the Déise, but it was all in vain as the relegation play-off beckoned regardless.
And while Waterford failed to fire during the league, it did not seem to be a cause for concern, with Derek McGrath back then clearly focused on the challenge of this new look championship.
"It's a big challenge for all teams but it's important that everybody embraces it," he told RTÉ Sport on a snowy day in March
"I think there's been a fair bit of negative talk about the new format, it's a case of people wanting to be negative.
"If we win Munster, we will have five games in six weeks. That's a lot of hurling"
"We're out first against Clare and our final game is on 17 June, so that's four games over 21 days.
"To that end, we have used the league to give squad members a chance. You will need players to throw in over the course of those 21 days - if not I don't think you'll survive.
"If we win Munster, we will have five games in six weeks. That's a lot of hurling. The stakes will be high, so we need to make sure that we're properly prepared.
"As of now, I'm happy with the preparations. Bring it on."
The psychology of it
Former Clare star Jamesie O'Connor this week told Clare FM that it's not in the "DNA of the inter-county player to play week in, week out". And while the Banner have a game under their belt, being involved in what was "a draining, physical match against Cork where Clare had the chances to win it," could leave the side vulnerable, according to O'Connor.
Last weekend, Dublin, after losing narrowly to Kilkenny in round one certainly put it up to Wexford and in no way felt sorry for themselves, though they will be disappointed that they got caught again at the death.
Clare's retrieval mission will no doubt be boosted that the game is in Ennis, with a full house of 19,000 expected.
The Déise, for their part, won't have any home comforts in this championship, but that is something they've known for a while. They have been preparing quietly for their round-robin bow, with John Mullane recently telling RTÉ Sport that Waterford play their best hurling in a wide, open pitch such as Thurles compared to the tighter playing area of Walsh Park.
"I actually don't think Walsh Park suits this Waterford team. They play better hurling in a big, wide open field," he said.
"I think it might be a blessing in disguise that we're not playing games in Walsh Park. Down the road, I'd love to see us getting a couple of home games."
Whether the somewhat tight confines of Cusack Park will suit the Déise remains to be seen.
Team News
Clare are unchanged from the side that started against Cork.
Clare: Donal Tuohy; Patrick O'Connor, Conor Cleary, Jack Browne; Seada Morey, David McInerney, David Fitzgerald; Colm Gavin, Tony Kelly; Cathal Malone, John Conlon, David Reidy; Conor McGrath, Peter Duggan, Shane O'Donnell.
Subs: Andrew Fahy, Cian Dillon, Jason McCarthy, Jamie Shanahan, Mikey O'Malley, Ryan Taylor, Niall Deasy, Ian Galvin, Mikey O'Neill, Podge Collins, Darragh Corry
Fitness doubts surround Waterford's Austin Gleeson and Pauric Mahony. Will be a big blow to the Déise if they are absent.
The potential loss of the above could very well be a game-changer in the mind of Duignan, who explained: "The free-taking of Pauric Mahony is so important and also his general play, where he pops up with three or four points from play and acts as a link-man between the seven men in defence and the forward line, and Austin Gleeson with the touch of genius that he has – without the two of them, I don’t think Waterford can go to Ennis and win."
Weather
Sunday will be warm and humid with highest temperatures typically ranging 18 to 22 or 23 degrees Celsius, warmest across central and northern areas. Some southwestern counties will experience slightly lower maxima with onshore breezes. Some scattered showers early on but they will tend to become more isolated with spells of sunshine through the day, all in near calm conditions. For more go to met.ie
