*Dermot Coughlan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
ATTENTION switches to phase two of the Munster U20 championship for Dermot Coughlan and Clare with recovery the main focus ahead of Thursday’s clash with Cork.
Victories over Tipperary, Waterford and Limerick mean Clare will have home advantage for two of their three outings in phase two. The first of these sees them welcome Cork to Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty on Thursday evening.
On Friday, a seven point victory over Limerick was somewhat flattering to Clare but their back six delivered a very impressive display. “It was a battle and that was the best Limerick played over the three games. Look we dug in there, defensively we were very sound again. We didn’t win as much ball around the middle third as we would have liked to. We got the result and that was what it was all about,” manager Coughlan outlined.
Blocking and movement was one of the impressive aspects displayed by Clare’s defence. “The defence was excellent, they are playing to a system now and they are comfortable with it. They were outstanding they put a lot of pressure on Limerick”.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, the Kilmurry Ibrickane clubman explained that recovery becomes the chief focus for Clare before phase two. “Six days is a short turnover and we have lads carrying knocks. We will monitor that and hopefully they will all be fit for Thursday night. It will be recovery over the next few days, the games are coming so thick and fast you can’t do anything really, just get those boys fit for Thursday”.
Securing a spot in phase two was the aim for Coughlan and Clare from the outset of the championship. He’s been pleased with their run to date and is eager to see a further bounce in Quilty this week. “We have three games under the belt and hopefully we will have a pick up from tonight again. Lads are honest, they are playing well, they never dropped the heads, they held the ball well in the last ten minutes. Our focus now is on phase two and we have three games in the next three weeks, two at home against Cork and Waterford and then we go to Tralee to play Kerry. We are looking forward to it”.
