*Clare joint manager, Conor Dolan. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
Clare are using the league “as development and preparation for the championship and our aim is to be in Croke Park later in the year”.
That’s according to joint team manager Conor Dolan who, while disappointed with the result on Sunday, was particularly pleased with the performance of the team’s defence.
“Conditions were shocking. We probably should have built a lead when we had the wind.. Our defensive structure was absolutely fantastic throughout the game. Look this is a learning curve. We had five girls that made their senior inter county debut and another came in for her senior debut, so that’s six playing at this level for the first time. We have the Scariff/Ogonnelloe girls to come back in and also Niamh O’Dea to come back from injury and a few others. Its a good stepping stone,” the Meelick man maintained.
The Clare mentor went on to say “we can’t fault the girls. Overall maybe Cork deserved the victory but its slight margins and with a small bit of luck here and there things might have been different”.
Both Dolan and Cork coach, Davy Fitzgerald were sent to the stands with fifty five minutes played in Sunday’s game.“Absolutely delighted with the result but a bit disappointed with what happened on the sideline. I don t think that there was any need for it but that’s the way it goes,” the ex Clare goalkeeper told The Clare Echo when asked about the incident.
“I thought Clare played really well and they used the ball well in the first half. I always knew in the second half that they were going to bring thirteen or fourteen bodies back which would make it tough for us to score. Clare did well and they worked the ball well but the only thing is they need to get more scores,” Davy added.
Winning in Cusack Park is never easy, no matter the sport, the Sixmilebridge native remarked. “We missed a goal in the first half and one or two in the second half but I was happy enough with the performance. Coming here isn’t easy. The Clare girls did well, they are trying to do the right thing. It was tough going”.
