*Seanie Malone forms part of an experienced backline for St Joseph’s Miltown. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
ST JOSEPH’S MILTOWN head into this season’s Clare senior football championship on the back of impressive runs in the Garry and O’Gorman cup competitions, both of which they won.
In fact, they have lost just once in competitive fare this season and that was in their final group game in the Garry Cup at which time they had already qualified for the final.
“This is a new competition and the league has no bearing now. They have had the upperhand on us in recent meetings. They are a big strong side and they still have experience with the likes of David Tubridy while they have brought in a couple of young players”, according to Miltown manager Martin Guerin who is in his first season in the role.
“We have tried to inject a bit more youth into the team and there is a bit of transition there as well”, said Guerin who hails from nearby Liscannor.
The Cleary twins, two of the team’s most experienced players, have had their difficulties with injuries in recent times and Eoin, the Clare senior football captain, isn’t expected to play in this week’s first round. Conor hobbled off at the end of Kilmaley’s first round hurling championship win over Ballyea last week but he has returned to fitness and hopes are high that he will be in the squad for this week’s eagerly awaited clash.
Although not involved with the team last year, Guerin recalled that “the meeting of these teams last year was a very tight game which Doonbeg won after extra time. They are noted championship battlers and with their strong tradition they will be very hard to beat. Last year they were unlucky not to be in the knock out stage of the championship”.
Continuing he said, “this will go down to the wire, down to the last ten minutes. It’s a fifty fifty game. Our wins in the Garry and O’Gorman cups have been good preparation but that is all. The championship is a separate competition”.
Guerin told The Clare Echo, “the first game in the championship is crucial. Everyone will be fighting tooth and nail for victory and we can’t afford to look any further ahead particularly with so many young players in our squad. We are in a very tough group with the reigning county champions, Éire Óg and Clondegad who are a good championship team”.
Results to date this season point to a victory for Miltown and both sides will feel that a win here will go a long way to ensuring that neither will be in the relegation play off.
While Eoin Cleary may not appear in this outing, the return after injury of Gordon Kelly and Seanie Malone, both of whom saw little action last year, provides the Miltown side with huge experience while Cormac Murray’s sparkling form in attack is a massive asset.
St Joseph’s Miltown:
Management: Martin Guerin (manager), John McDonagh, David Talty ,Jim Marrinan (coaches and selectors); Dylan Kenny(S&C); Aidan O’Looney and Shane O’Connell (Physios), Gerry O’Connor and Joe Talty (Kitmen) Grainne Travers (Nutritionist), James Anastasia, Paul Tubridy, David Meade, Francis Cahill (Stats) Brian Ball (secretary)
Captain: Enda O’Gorman
Key Player: Cormac Murray
One to Watch: Cian Mahoney
Fresh Blood: Oisin Meade, Cillian Keavey, Euan Lineen, Patrick Greene, Sean Hayes, Cormac Byrne Jnr, Cormac O’Loughlin, Tim Lenihan;
Departure Gate: None
Titles won: 15
Last season’s run:
Finished bottom in group but survived relegation, beating Kilmihil in relegation decider.
Schedule:
Round 1 v Doonbeg
Round 2 v Éire Óg
Round 3 v Clondegad
