Clare legend makes bold call about Banner County’s All-Ireland hopes

"The speed of Cork. They're the favourites now."

Speaking on RTÉ's The Sunday Game, the two-time All-Ireland winner and three-time All Star was not too hopeful for the Banner's chances.

While teams do not put nearly as much effort into the league, manager Brian Lohan and Clare will have been worried at their last-place finish, with just a win over Limerick to show for their efforts.

Serious doubts over the fitness of reigning Player of the Year, Shane O'Donnell, have dampened hopes as well.

However, they are the current holders with a raft of quality operators, while they also managed to get over the line in last year's final despite O'Donnell playing with an injury.

Nonetheless, Daly did not come across as a confident man.

He said: "I presume Brian Lohan is sitting at home today thinking, 'how are we going to stop this bit of a juggernaut?’

"The speed of Cork. They're the favourites now.

"It's hard to believe, even with Clare winning last year, because we would have said Limerick, with a year off [would have been favourites].

"But now Cork are the favourites.

“We will be rank outsiders. That said, there is a good bit of spirit there.

“The Cats will come out of Leinster. They are not a mile off. Leinster will be competitive.

"Offaly have impressed but going down would be a disaster for them. Davy and Antrim will be interesting. Kilkenny are definites but the other two places will be very open.”