Declan Hannon relishing Munster opener with in-form Clare

Limerick captain Declan Hannon has spoken of his admiration for Clare ahead of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship clash between the counties on 21 April.

The two neighbours share a storied rivalry but it is four-in-a-row All-Ireland champions Limerick who have tasted greater success in recent times.

However, the Banner claimed silverware of their own this week, after beating Kilkenny in the Allianz Hurling League final on Saturday night.

The Adare man had an eye on that game, and at the launch of Eir's sponsorship of the All-Ireland Hurling Championship at Croke Park on Monday, he outlined his admiration for Clare's start to 2024.

"They're clearly the form team at the minute," Hannon told RTÉ Sport ahead of their meeting in Cusack Park Sunday week.

"They've been really strong throughout the league, really good performances. Their consistency has been really strong, they were hugely impressive and probably the better team on the day [against Kilkenny] as well.

"Going down to Ennis, it's a small compact stadium, there will be a fantastic atmosphere which there has been over the last number of years between Limerick and Clare, and going back a long time ago as well.

"We can't wait, it's great. The championship came around quickly so we're looking forward to it."

Limerick have beaten Clare in the last two Munster finals but are winless against the Banner in the last two editions of the provincial round-robin.

Hannon insists his team will need to raise their game if they are to make it to five All-Ireland titles in a row this summer.

"We were very disappointed with our performance against Kilkenny," he said. "It was nowhere near good enough and the better team won, they probably should have beaten us by more.

"The league is a