Ger Loughnane was announced as Galway manager at the end of 2006 and the draw which pitted Clare his former team, against his new Galway charges drew huge interest and a large crowd to Cusack Park, Ennis on 7 July 2007 in the second of the backdoor qualifiers.
Previously Clare defeated Antrim at Casement park and following an unconvincing final qualifier win over Laois at O'Moore park in Portlaoise, Clare emerged top of group A to qualify for the quarter-final of the all-Ireland.