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*Niall O’Farrell of Broadford. Photograph: Joe Buckley
BROADFORD’s first round win over Scariff was “a combination of three years work,” manager Paddy Meehan has said.
Sixmilebridge native, Meehan is in his third season in charge of the East Clare side and guided them to their second victory in the opening round in as many seasons following their 2024 win over O’Callaghans Mills.
Their win over fellow East Clare side Scariff was fully merited on Friday evening. “This is a combination of three years work,. We were very unlucky against Scariff three years ago, very unlucky against Clooney-Quin in the first round last year. A bit of lady luck and a super display from us today got us over the line”.
Meehan told The Clare Echo that Broadford have been producing strong third quarter displays all year. “Our third quarter in all of our games including the challenge matches we have been very very strong. Our fitness levels helped. We have done a massive amount of training this year and I think it stood to us in the run in. We had the strength to finish well and having the likes of Shane Taylor and Eoin Donnellan to come in to steady the ship made a huge difference. Shane Taylor got three points at vital times”.
Trailing 0-15 0-11 at half time having been outscored 0-7 0-1 in the final ten minutes of the half time, there was concern among the Broadford management, he admitted. “We were worried a bit because they were controlling the middle of the field. Mikey Vaughan coming to the middle of the field made a huge difference to us. Conor O’Donnell had to make way for Shane Taylor and Vaughan coming to midfield. He didn’t deserve to be replaced but it was just a move we had to make. He had a lot of possessions in the first half”.
Crusheen are up next in round two for Broadford where a win will have them within touching distance of the quarter-finals, “the focus from now is on round two. We will take every game as it comes. We are looking to get to the quarter finals knock out stage and see where it takes us”.
