*Michael Neylon. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
CLARE’S U20 football boss has said their ambition was abundantly clear with the manner in which they pushed provincial champions Kerry all the way to extra time.
By David Byrne
Michael Neylon’s charges came very close to dethroning Kerry in Tralee but lost out 1-20 4-09 following extra time.
Reflecting on the loss, the Miltown Malbay man told The Clare Echo, “It is a mixture of huge, huge pride and then there is the ultimate disappointment as well”.
He explained, “Look, we came here with a job to do and the boys were openly ambitious from early in the year about having a say in this competition and they took it by the scruff of the neck; everything we saw from them illustrated that when a group of lads get together and they put their mind to something, just like these boys have, a lot can be achieved.
“We are disappointed, we are gutted… maybe in time we can look back and we can say we did a lot right, and I think we did, but, ultimately, we wanted more”.
Neylon was adamant the future of football in the county is bright. “Many of these guys are going to have huge futures. They are a great crop of players, but what I think makes them great is their loyalty to one another and the trust they have in one another, and their ability to pull together. They see football as being very, very important in their lives and we are delighted to be part of their journey. It has been a very, very good experience this year with them.
Getting over Tipperary, the county’s first away win at the grade since 2012 was important, he acknowledged”. A move away from the knockout series would be welcome from a player development perspective, he felt.
A two-time Clare SFC winning manager, Michael said he will take time to consider his future as Clare U20 boss following his fourth season in the role. “It is hard to think about next year on a night like tonight, it’s day by day now, but it has been a hugely positive experience this year. I have enjoyed every minute with the lads and all thoughts are extremely positive walking out here in relation to Clare football and in relation to the group of players we have at the moment”.
