*Éire Óg manager Shane Daniels. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
ÉIRE ÓG are not paying attention to their tag as overwhelming favourites to retain the Jack Daly.
Three wins from three in dispatching of the challenges of Cratloe, St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Kildysart saw the reigning champions ease into the quarter-finals of the TUS Clare SFC.
Speaking to The Clare Echo following their 4-21 2-7 victory over Kildysart on Saturday, Éire Óg manager Shane Daniels stated, “the scoreline flatters us a small bit, it was a really tough game, really physical around the pitch, a great game for us to get, it was proper championship”.
Access to players can be difficult as the club is also through to the last eight of the Clare SHC. The focus has been on a strong attacking approach when they have players and possession, he said. “We want to play attacking football but we need to be mindful at the back as well. It’s something we are working on every week. We don’t get to work with the players every week because of the dual code. When we do get a week together, we try and go as hard as we can for the week”.
Ryan Casey scored two goals for Kildysart on Saturday, becoming the first player to raise a green flag against the Townies in this year’s championship. “It’s going to happen at some stage, we had no goal conceded till today. It’s going to happen and it’s how we react when it happens,” their Clare SFC winning goalkeeper of 2022 and 2024 stated.
Ronan Lanigan and Jarlath Collins were both sidelined with injury, Clare defender Lanigan has missed the entire group stages, “We are working with them to try and get them back as soon as possible,” Shane explained.
With the talent at their disposal and performances to date, Éire Óg are red-hot favourites to retain the Jack Daly. The views from outside the dressing room do not come into the thought process of those involved according to Daniels. “We don’t look outside the camp. What we are trying every day we go out is to improve on our last performance. We were trying today to improve from the St Joseph’s game, In the quarter final whoever we play we will try and improve from today’s performance. Every time we get together we try and improve”.
