Eoin Brennan casts his eyes over the Clare senior hurlers and gives his rating on each individual performer from Sunday’s two point win.
Clare
1. Eibhear Quilligan
Made a superb stop from Patrick Horgan just before the break to prevent Cork from getting the perfect half-time boost. Quilligan’s distribution was excellent once more, with a variety of long and short puck-outs that were in complete contrast to the demolition job done on Cork’s restarts, particularly in the opening period. Couldn’t do anything about Cork’s two second half goals either as both were close range slam dunk finishes.
Rating: 7
2. Paul Flanagan
Given the tricky task of shadowing arguably Cork’s best forward over the National League and ensured that Shane Kingston only fed off scraps until being called ashore entering the final ten minutes. The Ballyea defender also imbues a real sense of calm and coolness, a perfect trait in the full-back line, that saw him emerge from rucks with possession and always find a saffron and blue jersey.
Rating: 7
3. Conor Cleary
One has to start thinking that there’s a personal vendetta developing against Conor Cleary as amazingly having only conceded six frees in total in all competitions in 2022, the Miltown native has been issued six yellow cards. As a result, Cleary was living on the edge throughout the second period but was particularly at his defiant best when Clare were down to 14 and handled Patrick Horgan well as Cork’s longest serving player had to roam deep to get on possession.
Rating: 7
4. Rory Hayes
Clare’s most dynamic defender was in line for performance of the entire championship when repeatedly breaking Cork’s hearts in an outstanding first half display. Motivated at being beaten for a goal by marker Jack O’Connor in last year’s fixture, Hayes exacted full revenge to see the Sarsfields man given the curly finger after only 26 minutes. Wasn’t as dominant in the second period but it was nigh impossible to emulate such a scintillating opening period.
Rating: 9
5. Diarmuid Ryan
Only 22 but plays like a grizzled championship veteran that is not afraid to mix the physical with skill and determination. That was epitomised when gladly accepting a David Fitzgerald bat down to fire over a crucial point from half on the right touchline only minutes after Clare had been reduced to 14. Directly set up two more points while also successfully throwing his body in the way of a Patrick Horgan pile driver in the 63rd minute that would have halved the lead to three.
Rating: 8
6. John Conlon
The term ‘plays with his heart on his sleeve’ could have been invented for John Conlon who after a decade of leading the county up front (including a 2018 All-Star) has now completely reinvented himself as an inspirational centre-back that not only reads the breaks perfectly but can also thunder into tackles to create turnovers. There surely can’t be any lingering doubters out there about his switch to defensive anchor after two mammoth performances in the space of a week.
Rating: 9
7. David McInerney
Back to the type of aggressive yet controlled form that earned him an All-Star in Clare’s storied season of 2013 as the Banner’s half-back unit are all at the top of their game at the moment. Not only was his defensively sound but for the second successive week also chipped in with a pivotal score, his 14th championship point as it turned out, to halt Cork’s most productive period of four unanswered points just before half-time.
Rating: 7
8. Cathal Malone
This was much more like the Cathal Malone Clare supporters have been raving about these past two All-Star nominated championship seasons as the Sixmilebridge player was heavily involved in the engine room all afternoon alongside Ryan Taylor. Had a direct hand in setting up five points for others and picked off two himself in that first half blitzkrieg that carved open Cork’s defence to power eleven points clear.
Rating: 7
9. Ryan Taylor
Has finally nailed down his ideal position as Taylor’s box-to-box style and speed is now matched by an aggression and experience to really dominate the centre. This was arguably the Clooney/Quin’s man’s greatest Clare senior performance as he scored three points of completely difference varieties and was tireless throughout in both his aid of Clare’s increasingly busy rearguard as well as taking on the Cork equivalent at every opportunity.
Rating: 9
10. David Fitzgerald
Similar to Ryan Taylor, David Fitzgerald has never been more influential in a Clare championship jersey. Scoring three points was always in the versatile Inagh/Kilnamona clubman’s locker but his leadership reached new heights on Sunday when needed most. Following Clare’s reduction to 14, Fitzgerald responded with a huge point from the right wing before helping Diarmuid Ryan and Ryan Taylor to two more on the trot to alleviate any further pressure.
Rating: 8
11. Shane O’Donnell
Unquestionably the most selfless player in the game as his razor sharp ball winning ability is invariably matched a flawless decision-making to make space and find a team-mate in a better position. His almost innate understanding with Tony Kelly was again a feature of Sunday’s triumph as O’Donnell raided for a brace of points but had a major in hand in at least another four in the second period when Clare were under immense pressure.
Rating: 8
12. Peter Duggan
It’s perhaps the understatement of the year to suggest that Clare’s most effective targetman is more than a handful for any defence (and goalkeeper!) as his endless limbs and perennial threat requires at least one back’s constant supervision. For the second successive Sunday, he gave every ounce for the cause and particularly had a brilliant first half that resulted in three points but could have yielded a penalty too. Had a great chance of a clinching goal late on but shot was saved.
Rating: 8
13. Tony Kelly
Thriving in the space provided by opposition man-marking duties on Peter Duggan and Shane O’Donnell, the back-to-back All-Star was in scorching form once more as he dragged four different markers asunder. Unerring from placed balls, aside from one early Hawkeye blip, including a few late boomers from his own half against the conditions, the Ballyea star also hit three glorious points from play to unsurprisingly end as Clare’s top-scorer in a double figure haul.
Rating: 9
14. Robin Mounsey
The stadium announcer may have found his name difficult to handle but so did the Cork defence as the Ruan native was Clare’s most dynamic forward in the opening 25 minutes. Left marker Robert Downey in his wake to set the tone with the opening score of the game in the first minute and was an excellent link player throughout, with his ability to be able to rise a ball in a telephone box a noteworthy part of winning numerous rucks.
Rating: 7
15. Ian Galvin
The Clonlara poacher was just beginning to find his groove when dismissed in the 50th minute following an off-the-ball incident in a melee. The call was extremely harsh and should be appealed but it did have a major affect of the game as from there on in, Clare had to be at their diligent best to prevail. Better to reflect on his early second half brace of points that ignited the Banner’s challenge once more and restored a sizeable cushion.
Rating: 7
Subs:
Aron Shanagher
Appeared a little ring-rusty in his first championship action of 2022 but caught two important balls to relief the incessant Cork danger late on.
Rating: 6
Domhnall McMahon
Introduced too late to be rated
