Former Clare hurler Brendan Bugler believes the importance of reaching a Munster final is as strong as it ever was ahead of Clare’s Munster SHC clash with Limerick.

The Banner men currently sit in second place in the round-robin standings and know a victory would see them through to a second consecutive Munster decider.

Both sides are heading to the All-Ireland series but Bugler maintains reigning supreme in the province is a significant achievement.

“I think you have to look at the team,” Bugler said.

“If Tipperary were in the same situation I don’t think it would be as important. But for this Clare team going forward, none of the guys have senior medals – a lot of the Limerick lads would have senior Munster medals.

“But from a Clare point of view, to get to a Munster final and get over the line and actually win a Munster would be phenomenal for this team and the confidence they would get from that would be unbelievable I would imagine.

“Last year we played Limerick in a semi-final and we got over the line there. And I think the management this year and the players want to right a couple of wrongs from last year and get back into the Munster final and try get over the line.

“You’re playing a semi-final in Cusack Park as well. The last time Clare played Limerick in a Munster Championship game was in 1993 in Cusack Park and that was an occasion in itself.

“There’s a rivalry there and it all stemmed from the rivalry in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996. And anytime Limerick come to Cusack Park it’s a special occasion and tomorrow will be no different.”