Henry Shefflin: Time for experimenting in the league is over with Championship around the corner

Henry Shefflin says the time for experimenting in the Allianz League has come to an end as the Tribesmen prepare for a crucial Leinster opener against Wexford on 22 April.

Six weeks out from that meeting with the Yellowbellies, Galway overcame Clare this afternoon at Ennis to put their losing streak behind them.

It didn't look like it was going to end that way early on as the Banner soared out of the to lead by seven points at one stage, but Shefflin's charges gradually worked their way back into things to trail by one at the break.

They upped the ante with 20 minutes to go, and Conor Whelan's goal on 59 minutes was critical.

"You get to a phase where you have to stop experimenting and you have to start thinking," Shefflin told RTÉ Sport after the game.

"That horizon is upon us now. The Championship is coming next month so I think there's a period comes where that has to stop and you've to build your team for the Championship.

"That's what you're starting to see from most teams now."

After an opening day victory over Wexford, Galway lost to Cork and Limerick in consecutive games.

Shefflin admitted that "there was a little bit of a concern" when his team started slowly at Ennis, but praised them for they way they were able to eventually find their rhythm.

"It was a newish enough team out so it was going to take us a few minutes to find out groove," he continued.

"Clare started very well and were scoring at ease, which was the concerning thing. To be fair to the lads they started to grind into and worked themselves manly back into the match.

"There was a bit more flow to our play there in the second half, with a bit of a breeze there that helped. Overall, happy enough, lots to work on - we left a good few chances behind us - but it