*Inagh/Kilnamona’s Jason McCarthy will once again be a central player for them. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Avoiding the hangover of how their first county senior decider panned out will be essential to Inagh-Kilnamona’s development for 2022.
In a whirlwind campaign that saw them rise above any expected dogfight in a group of death, Eugene Cullinan’s side appeared to have matured at the perfect time but ultimately came unstuck in the final quarter of the final as a more experienced Ballyea fired five of the last seven points to prevail by the minimum.
It was a gut-wrenching blow that has been put firmly in the history books according to manager Cullinan who feels that Inagh-Kilnamona, following a underwhelming Clare Cup campaign, have to get back to basics for their opening tie against a scorned Crusheen in a fortnight’s time.
“To be honest, we’re just totally focused on the first game against Crusheen and that’s it. We’re looking no further than that because as far as I’m concerned, it’s a 50-50 game. Regardless of what happened last year for us or them, Crusheen still have good and experienced players and they’d die with their boots on so we need to develop consistency in our play and the first step to achieving that is solely focusing on Crusheen”.
The focus from the outside as it has been all season for Clare as well has been Aidan McCarthy’s long recovery process from a freak leg injury sustained at work. The 2021 National Young Player of the Year nominee did manage to finally make his comeback in Inagh-Kilnamona’s final Clare Cup outing against Cratloe but didn’t subsequently make Clare’s 26 man panel for the All-Ireland Semi-Final.
Inagh-Kilnamona will need their talisman back in full swing for a group that is largely a step into the unknown as aside from regular bouts against Crusheen in league and championship, Smith O’Brien’s and Wolfe Tones pose a very different threat.
“Smith O’Brien’s had two involved with the county senior set-up as well so they’ll find another big improvement then their lads come back in so I expect them to have a bounce from winning the intermediate.
“Wolfe Tones too have three county lads and influential ones too as Rory Hayes had a great year, Aron Shanagher is a daunting prospect for any club while Darragh Lohan made his championship debut this year.
“However, as I’ve said, our sole focus is on Crusheen for the next few weeks and after last year, we will be expecting a big backlash from them.”
Management: Eugene Cullinan (Manager), Tomás Kelly, Val Murnane (Coaches), Alan Griffin, Noel Hehir (Selectors), Steve Cusack (S&C)
Captains: David Fitzgerald
Key Player: Aidan McCarthy
One to Watch: Sean Rynne
Fresh Blood: James Cullinan, Sean Rynne, Shane Woods, Ricky Wynne
Departures Gate: Cian McInerney (Injured/Travelling)
Titles Won: 3 (as Kilnamona
Most Recent Title: 1908
Last season’s run: Finally went from dark horse to a thoroughbred as Inagh-Kilnamona passed every test in a group of death before going on to reach their fist ever senior decider albeit that Ballyea’s experience pipped them as the post
