*Jack Browne will form a key pillar of the Ballyea defence at centre back. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
With the race for the Canon Hamilton trophy set to get under way this Saturday, there is, understandably, much speculation among followers as to who will take home the trophy come the end of the campaign.
One of the big talking points relates to the current champions, Ballyea and whether or not they can retain the title. Having won the first of their three titles in 2016 they were again crowned champions in 2018 and then, after a two year wait, they bounced back last year.
There is a strong body of opinion which supports the view that they will retain the title and one of the reasons for this is that Gearoid O’Connell and Cathal Doohan, both key players when they made the breakthrough in 2016, are available this year having returned home following spells in the US and Australia respectively
“Look, while we are delighted to have Gearoid and Cathal back, we are not looking past Saturday’s meeting with O’Callaghans Mills. You can only take one step at a time and our focus is completely on O’Callghans Mills and we will be doing all we can to get a result here”, manager Robbie Hogan told the Clare Echo.
Robbie led the team to their inaugural success in 2016 when they went on to add the Munster title to their winnings before losing out to Dublin’s Cuala in the All-Ireland final.
He is also pleased to have Damian Burke available. “Damian has had a lot of injuries over the past couple of years but things have been going well so far this season and he captained the club’s junior A side to league honours just last week.
The champions used the recently concluded Clare cup campaign “as a hunting ground to see what players were available and to integrate the new lads with the established players. With so many inter county players in the panel, there was no great continuity in the league”, he said.
They will start their campaign this week with a couple of players who were regulars last season. “Cian Meaney has just had surgery to sort a troublesome leg injury while Darragh Bohannon, a member of last year’s panel, is also recovering from surgery following an injury suffered while playing with the Clare senior footballers”.
Due to time constraints, one of the stars of their three wins in recent years, Gary Brennan hasn’t returned to training but club supporters are hopeful that as the season progresses he will be available.
With so many dual players in the panel is the manager concerned about the busy schedule they are facing. “From an organisational point of view we know what is in front of us, a vigorous campaign that we will have to navigate our way through but right now the complete focus is on the first round”, he concluded.
Management: Robbie Hogan (manager); Raymond O’Connor, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Jude Quinlivan (selectors) Adrian O’Brien (Coach and S&C); Alan Duggan (goalkeeping coach and stats); Kieran Connolly (Physio)
Captain: James Murphy;
Key Player: Tony Kelly;
One to Watch: Morgan Garry
Fresh Blood: Gearoid O’Connell, Cian Kirby, Fergal Guinane, Cathal Doohan, Fiachra Kirby.
Departure Gate: N/A
Titles won: 3
Last season’s run: Champions, topped group with 2 wins and a draw on the way to the title.
Schedule:
Round 1 v O’Callaghans Mills
Round 2 v Broadford
Round 3 v Clarecastle
Round 4 v Cratloe
Round 5 a bye
