Davy Fitzgerald will put his feelings for Clare to one side when his Waterford side take on the Banner County in the semi-final of the Munster Hurling Championship.
Fitzgerald played in goal for Clare from 1990 to 2006, winning three Munster titles and two All-Ireland's with the county, but since his retirement from inter-county level he has turned his hand to management.
He has managed Waterford since June 2008 and will be at the helm when the Deise face Clare in the Munster championship next year.
However, Fitzgerald, who had hoped to avoid Clare when the 2010 All-Ireland provincial draws were made on Thursday, insists his loyalty with be with Waterford.
"I'd have preferred any county ahead of Clare," Fitzgerald is quoted as saying in the Irish Daily Star. "It's going to be tough.
"I'm a loyal Clare man and I played with them for a long time. But I'm a Waterford manager now and have a job to do."