Clare's plummet from 2013 All-Ireland champions to favourites for the drop to the second tier has been dramatic and depressing for the Banner natives.
Sunday's Allianz National Hurling League relegation play-off represents a grim prospect for Davy Fitzgerald's men, especially with a Kilkenny side boosted by the return of their All-Ireland club championship-winning Ballyhale Shamrocks contingent.
"The win against Dublin apart, it's been a pretty forgettable [league] campaign to date," former Clare great Jamesie O'Connor lamented on Off The Ball tonight.
Jamesie and former Cat Michael Kavanagh were both on the show to preview the Nowlan Park clash.
"Defensively Clare just look all at sea at the moment," Jamesie continued. "Given the players that Kilkenny have to come back into [their team] ... it's worrying. Defensively we need some stability"
Michael agreed that the Ballyhale contingent being re-infused into the black-and-amber will make all the difference.
"Everyone knew this was going to be a testing league," said Michael, who reckons recent All-Ireland club winners TJ Reid, Joey Holden, Colin and Mick Fennelly will all go straight into Brian Cody's first XV.
"I expect them to slot back into the team, I'd expect them to be starting."
GAA Announce The End Of Hurling Following Shefflin Retirement http://t.co/507IjUo059 #henryshefflin #KingHenry pic.twitter.com/FX2rkG1VYV
— Waterford Whispers (@WhispersNewsLTD) March 25, 2015
"You don't generally back against Kilkenny in Nowlan Park ... I fancy Kilkenny," admitted Jamesie, who added: "We certainly don't need another dispiriting display."
Michael concluded: "I think home advantage might swing it in Kilkenny's favour."
Meanwhile, Brian Cody has tonight named his team for the clash:
KILKENNY (v Clare): Eoin Murphy; Shane Prendergast, Paul Murphy, Joey Holden; Lester Ryan, Kieran Joyce, Cillian Buckley; Joe Lyng, Michael Fennelly; Walter Walsh, TJ Reid, Mathew Ruth; Jonjo Farrell, Colin Fennelly, Richie Hogan.
Subs: Richie Reid, Robert Lennon, Willie Phelan, Tomas Keogh, Conor O Shea, Brian Kennedy, Kevin Kelly, mark Kelly, Keith Hogan & Ger Aylward.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
