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*Éire Óg’s Shane O’Donnell takes on Scariff’s Shane Kavanagh. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
ÉIRE Óg’s senior hurlers were challenged more than they had been in the last two years when surviving a second round scare with Scariff, manager Gerry O’Connor has said.
Two wins from two outings has Éire Óg sitting top of Group 2 in the Clare SHC ahead of this weekend’s final round.
Though in a healthy position so far as scoring difference is concerned, Éire Óg have the unlikely scenario of missing out on the quarter-finals if they lose to Broadford and Crusheen overcome Scariff in round three.
County champions last year for the first time since 1990 and beaten at the quarter-final stage in 2025, O’Connor admitted their round two tie with Scariff was their toughest test over the past two seasons. “The reality is that Scariff brought a performance that probably we didn’t see coming and as a result we were certainly challenged more than we’ve ever been challenged over the last two years. We really struggled to deal with their puck-out, particularly the long direct ones. Patrick Crotty, Rossa Keehan and Keelan Hartigan in their half-forward line had us in all sorts of trouble and they were able to get vital possession to keep them in the game”.
O’Connor felt the introductions of Tom Kavanagh and James O’Dwyer had a big bearing in their seven point turnaround as they prevailed 2-20 1-21. “The bottom line is that we did eventually turn the tide and there were a few significant factors in that as they [Scariff] probably suffered a few injuries in the last quarter and probably making changes out of necessity whereas we were able to bring on tactical subs to be able to impact the game and that possibly stood us in good stead. I mean the points that Tom Kavanagh and James O’Dwyer got when we were five points down were huge and meant that the goal when it came had a greater impact in that vital last five or six minutes”.
He told The Clare Echo, “Overall we were just relieved as it was probably the toughest game that I’ve endured on the line in terms of trying to impact the game from the sideline and we were at the mercy of the subs and the impact that they could made as we were just trying to make something stick in order to get a foothold on the game. It wasn’t until we could get a handle on their long puck-outs that we started to finally motor and if anything the better team probably lost in terms of how well Scariff played and that’s genuinely the way we felt about it.
“We were delighted with the result of course but very disappointed with some aspects of our performance as for the majority our half-back line were dominated by their half-forward line. So we need to have a look at that and improve as we can expect another huge battle from Broadford the next day”.
