Hurling people in both Kilkenny (Is there any other kind in that county?) and Tipperary are no doubt counting down the hours to Sunday's All Ireland final in Croke park as the two great rivals of the modern age square up for the third year in a row.

The game hasn't been overshadowed by the talk of a "drive for five" as was the case last year and Tipperary have not harped on about the push for back to back titles either.

IT's hard to remember a game of such importance ending in such farce as last Sunday's All Ireland minor semi final between Clare and Galway.

Neither side seemed to know much about extra time or what the implications would be on tired bodies of another 20 minutes to decide who would meet in the final?

Both managements denied any knowledge of the provision of an additional 20 minute period and it seems now that Clare secretary  Pat Fitzgerald was also as much in the dark as the rest of us to the scenario if both sides were level after normal time.

The controversy caused this week by the incorrect and somewhat shameful  reporting of the rumoured death of Ger Loughnane has left a very sour taste in the moths of Gaa supporters and ordinary people across the county.

The fact that a rumour which was put on the internet  which was so readily accepted by ordinary people as well as long standing journalists must be a lesson to all in to how the new forms of communication such as Twitter,Facebook and messgae boards sites should be treated.

The hurt and shock in Clare after Saturday's demolition by Galway has hardly dimmed with much anger and frustration at the role of management in the 17 point loss.

There can be no doubt that the men on the sideline will take much of the blame for Saturday's thumping defeat in Salthill.

All the game lacked was a smiling Nicky English to put the cap on one of the worst Clare displays to really bring the county back to the bad days of '93 and '94!

Clare go into Saturday's game hoping to avoid the same  fate that befell the senior footballers last Saturday in Ennis.

Despite an impressive  performance Clare still lost out and ultimately will look back at 2011 as almost a total disaster as they failed to emerge from Div 4 and lost their two championship games.

The hurlers are in a bit of a better situation but it will still boil down to what they can do to Galway.

The Tribesmen were simply brutal against Dublin and one could not see how they would be so poor again.

Now that the dust has settled on Clare's senior defeat to Tipperary what can supporters expect this coming Friday against The Premier county in Thurles?

Clare unusually go into the game as holders of the title but not favorites as this highly regarded Tipp side are said to be a force to be reckoned with.

The Clare minors were present last Sunday for the Clare senior sides loss to Eoin kelly and Comp. and lessons from that game must be absorbed.

Clare team to play Tipperary announced

The Clare senior hurlers face the onerous task of trying to keep the most potent forward line in modern hurling under check this Sunday when they meet Tipperary.

For Clare the fact that their defense is under most scrutiny ahead of Sunday is unusual,as traditionally it was numbers 1-7 that Clare were so strong.

The League final defeat to Limerick was a hammer blow but the signs of defensive frality were evident during the league stages with sides racking up goals and points against Clare easily enough.

Michael Mc Dermott decribed the All Ireland qualifer draw as one in which "Lady luck had once again failed to smile on Clare"  and it is hard to disagree with the Clare boss after Down were the side the Banner wil face on the 25th.

The All Ireland runners up were surprisingly beaten by Armagh in the Ulster championship while Clare were thumped by Cork in the Munster championship last month.

Holders Doonbeg along with fellow favourites Kilmurray Ibrickane will line out this weekend for the opening round of the county championship knowing their next championship outing will be in nearly 10 weeks time.

it is bizarre to think that Clare can continue in a system where players are alowed desert the county under the 60 day rule midsummer and then return for the championship again in the Autumn time.

The county senior hurling championship has concluded two rounds while the senior footballers are just getting their campaigns underway.