*Oisin Donnellan has assumed the mantle of free taker in the absence of Shane McGrath. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
FEAKLE’s defence of their Clare SHC title has saw them battle an increasing amount of injuries but the mantra within their dressing room is “next man up”.
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Clare goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan and talisman Shane McGrath have both been ruled out for the remainder of the championship with knee injuries while wing forward Martin Daly has missed the second and third round.
Daly should return to the fold for their quarter-final with Clooney/Quin. Absenteeism has been par for the course with Feakle this season on the back of a fairytale 2024 which saw them claim the Canon Hamilton for the first time since 1988.
Conn Smyth underwent an operation for a serious hamstring injury earlier this season and missed the first round but returned for their second round victory over Newmarket-on-Fergus while Eoin Tuohy (dislocated shoulder) and Steven Conway were both introduced late on during the opening round having not been deemed fit enough to start.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Feakle manager Ger Conway acknowledged that they were down key men but was not singling it out as an excuse. “Yes, we were down men but every team is. You have to drive on with that We are not as lucky this year as we were last year with regard to injuries”.
He continued, “The loss of anyone to a club like Feakle where we don’t have massive numbers is huge. Everyone knows Shane (McGrath), he is there for the last ten years, he is a massive player and in every game he gets the majority of our scores. We still put up a huge score today without him. The call in the dressing room is next man up”.
Following their 3-16 1-18 final round loss to Éire Óg, he lamented poor defending for letting the Townies raid for two early goals in the second half. “We gave away two handy goals after half time due to poor mixed up defending. We lost control of our men and where he ball was. It was stupid on our behalf as up to that we were in control of the game”.
Goalkeeper Liam O’Connor made a penalty save in the third round and has grabbed the opportunity afforded to him in the wake of Quilligan’s injury. “In any other club he would, more than likely, be starting. It’s just unlucky for him that he is vying with the inter county goalkeeper (Eibhear Quilligan) for the number one spot”.
Securing a place in the knockout stages has been the target for the county champions who face Clooney/Quin in two weeks time. “There are ten or twelve teams in this championship who all have aspirations of winning the title. It doesn’t matter whether you are winners or runners up in the group, one is as good as the other as you have to beat the best to win it”.
Conway concluded, “hopefully we can get a few more off he treatment table. Martin Daly looks good to go but it doesn’t look good for Shane”.
