Moloney backs Clare's "X-factor"

Donal Moloney says Clare have the "X-factor talent" to will this year's Munster hurling title.

Clare face Cork at Semple Stadium on Sunday in their first Munster final in nine years, as the Banner look to end a 19-year provincial title drought.

And Moloney, Clare's joint-manager with Gerry O'Connor, says the current crop of players now have the experience to add to the talent that brought them three Munster and All-Ireland Under 21 titles between 2012 and 2014 

"Yes, absolutely," Moloney replied when asked whether his team had "X-factor" players. 

"They have had it since their underage days, they showed it in 2013 [when Clare won the All-Ireland title under manager Davy Fitzgerald]. 

"People probably give out about their Championship record over the last few years, but history will show that Davy won the National League [in 2016] and the All-Ireland. 

"There aren't too many other counties in those three or four seasons that have won as many titles. Kilkenny obviously. But that is a pretty decent record. We have game winners, who contributed to that."

Clare have only won four All-Ireland senior titles in their history, but Moloney says this generation of players have the talent to add a fifth Liam MacCarthy Cup to the county's roll of honour.

"We as a county probably tend to go in cycles," he continued.

"If you go back through our history, there is a certain pattern there. It's been every 20 years or so. For a county which is a very strong hurling county, you have to remember our playing numbers are not huge.

"To win any championship, to be consistently at the top level, irrespective of preparations, you have to really have top quality players, players who can differentiate themselves and be the game-winners."

Image: Inpho/Tommy Dickson

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