You’ve heard the saying victims of their own success well it’s relevant to Clare ahead of Sunday weeks All Ireland senior final against Limerick in CrokePark.

18 of their panel is involved in the under 21 squad to take on Tipperary in tonight’s Bord Gais Energy Munster final meaning that full numbers at training for the seniors hasn’t been possible in recent days at a time when they are trying to hone their tactics and plans for the counties biggest game since the All Ireland final in 2002.

A few years back Clare decided they missed the taste of success and wanted it back so they invested in the youth, it’s a policy that’s yielded All Ireland under 21 titles in 2009 and 2012 as well as continued progression at minor level. So how are they victims?  Not having full numbers at training is not ideal for senior boss Davy Fitzgerald but one of his selectors Louis Mulqueen who also worked under Ger Loughnane and previously won an All Ireland minor title as manager in 1997 is extenuating the positives of the situation.