Clare boss Peter Keane fears return to seeding for Kerry and Cork in Munster SFC
Keane's side were eliminated from the championship by Louth at O'Moore Park after losing their third All-Ireland group stage game.
The Banner had to beat the Leinster champions to advance but, despite staging a strong second half comeback, came up short in a 2-17 to 2-14 defeat.
'Oh you couldn't but be proud of them," said Keane of his players. "By Jesus, somebody said there they died on their backs and they died with their shoes on. It wasn't looking good at half-time, we struggled big time during the black card.
"We conceded something like 2-4 in that window and that really hurt us. Down eight at half-time, a kick of the ball in it at the end, you would have to be very proud of the lads.'
However it was Clare's ninth loss out of nine in the group stages in three years. For Keane, the former Kerry boss, it is crucial for the players' development that they are able to continue to compete at this level.
"I would think that we have developed in a very difficult year when you take new rules and all," he argued. "I think they worked very, very well. We found it great on the pitch, we were learning every night and that's the nature of it. It just takes time.
'The higher standard you play the better you are going to get. It is interesting this week now there seems to be a move by the Muster Council to go back to seeding Cork and Kerry which I think would be a terrible move for football in the province.
'You take any county, the only way you are going to get better is to get out of (Division) Three and into Two and get to a higher standard and play at a higher Championship level.
"You look at Louth, where they have come from over a four- or five-year window. They have come from Four to Three to Two and stayed in Two and had success this year with a Leinster Championship.
"Counties have got to be given that chance. If you block it out altogether it's no good for anyone.'
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