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Tipperary's Conor O'Mahony and Peter Duggan of Clare compete. Ryan Byrne/INPHO
Final Four

5 talking points ahead of Clare and Tipperary's Allianz Hurling semi-final

Are Tipp jealous of this Clare side? And can they use that as motivation to drive them on to another league final?

1. Tipperary need to watch goals conceded

When these sides met last month, Tipp were caught badly early on. Clare scored three goals in the first half and had their fourth by the 52nd minute.

Hat-trick hero Conor McGrath did the damage but from Tipp’s perspective, there was too much space in the rearguard and it left Darren Gleeson badly exposed.

Clare have shown that they will ruthlessly take their chances and Tipp will need to be tighter from the start tomorrow or else the game will get away from them.

2. Clare’s last league final day in 2005

It’s just under a decade since Clare were last in the league final. Manager Davy Fitzgerald was in goal that day but it’s one he would rather forget as they were hammered by Kilkenny 3-20 to 0-15.

The county has been generally absent from league final days and since 1978, absent from the winners podium.

It’s glaring statistic and while this current group are still basking in the glow of their All-Ireland triumph, they are ambitious and won’t mind redressing that balance. The chance to reach league final is a big carrot tomorrow.

3. Eamon O’Shea’s indifference to the league

From opening night of the league against Waterford, Eamon O’Shea professed that Tipp’s focus was on the summer.

The evidence backs that up. Tipp treated the league with a casual indifference which only changed to worry when they were skirting with relegation.

After a good quarter-final win against Cork, they are into the last four and they may change their tune with the prospect of a final place on the line.

4. Are Tipp jealous of this Clare side?

Brendan Bugler said during the week that the Tipperary players are jealous of this Clare side.

Back in 2010, Tipp were the kings with senior and U21 All-Irelands to their name. Since then they haven’t won national honours and the power base has shifted.

Now it’s Clare who are the reigning All-Ireland senior champions and chasing a third successive U21 title.

If Bugler is right, Tipp’s envy is only natural — but will it fuel them to cause a surprise?

5. New players audition for the Championship

Like most counties, Tipp and Clare have used the league to audition some fringe players and rising stars.

For the Premier goalkeeper Darragh Egan, defender Cathal Barrett, forwards Denis Maher and Paddy Murphy have come to the fore.

In Clare it’s Jack Browne, Paul Flanagan, Peter Duggan, Shane Golden, Cathal O’Connell and Bobby Duggan who are earnestly trying to make the jump from the underage ranks.

Can any of them further their cause for inclusion tomorrow?

Shefflin starts as Kilkenny change five for league semi v Galway

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