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*Inagh/Kilnamona defender Keith White. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
REGARDLESS of how Sunday’s semi-final against county champions Éire Óg will go, Inagh/Kilnamona are “going to come out fighting,” their manager has insisted.
A chance to make a first Clare SHC final since 2021 is on offer for Inagh/Kilnamona this Sunday. Standing in their way are the reigning champions Éire Óg.
Ironically it was Éire Óg that they defeated in the 2021 semi-final when Cullinan was in his first term as manager so he is well versed on what it takes to beat them. “I do know well how to beat them, I also know they beat us the following year, I definitely recognise there isn’t much between the two teams to be honest, it is going to take a huge effort to get over the line on Sunday against Éire Óg”.
Of the four teams left standing, they have the cleanest bill of health with Cullinan & Co set to pick from a fully fit squad. “We have a couple of niggles and knocks but in general we feel we nearly have a full hand to pick from on Sunday,” Eugene told The Clare Echo.
Wins over Ballyea, St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Cratloe coupled with a third round draw with Clonlara has led them to the last four. “We’ve gained a bit of confidence in the teams we’ve played in the group, some of the top teams in Clare, coming into the quarter-final against Cratloe, a team with some really seasoned players and a sprinkling of youth in their team, they are a very dangerous team, we had a huge battle with Cratloe, we’re hardened for the battle with Éire Óg on Sunday”.
Having led by seven points against Cratloe at half time of the quarter-final, Inagh/Kilnamona found themselves on level terms on forty seven minutes but kept their South Clare opponents scoreless from here on as they recorded a six point win. Surviving this comeback has given the squad a lift, Cullinan admitted. “There’s definitely a pep in the step and a buzz in the camp, getting over the line against some of the top teams in Clare it does bring a bit of belief into the players, there is a confidence there that whatever the outcome will be that we’re going to get a performance on Sunday, we’re going to fight on our backs and it is going to be a real battle, we’re going to come out fighting against Éire Óg on Sunday”.
Assisting them in that fight is the presence of Matt Shannon as coach, the Corofin native served as Éire Óg manager for four seasons, helping them reach a first county final in twenty two years when they lost to Ballyea in 2022. “The extra bit that Matt is going to add is what he has done with the players for the whole year and not just this game, since the 1st of January, himself and Victor have been involved with the players, they have put some amount of time and effort into the players, it is really beginning to take fruit with the coaching Mattie is doing with these players, the system and style of play that they are trying to implement, that is coming out to the fore, that is where we will get the huge bonus out of Mattie and not just his involvement with Éire Óg in the past”.
