*Shane Lynch in possession for Newmarket-on-Fergus. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS were just after bridging a six year gap to win the FutureTicketing Clare Cup but they are already fixing their gaze towards championship.
Clare’s progression to the All-Ireland SHC final means this start of the Clare SHC will be deferred until the weekend of August 10th/11th.
After watching his charges storm past the challenge of Inagh/Kilnamona, Newmarket-on-Fergus manager James Carrig outlined that their energies will now be diverted towards preparing for the championship.
Their opening round tie pits the Newmarket-on-Fergus native against a side he previously managed, Carrig spent three seasons in charge of Crusheen. “Our focus now turns to the first round of the Clare senior championship and our meeting with Crusheen. They were county finalists last year and they gave us a lesson in the quarter final. We have to improve and we have a few weeks to get ready and focus on that game”, he said moments after his side had comfortably accounted for Inagh/Kilnamona.
Reflecting on the game, he said, “it was very very tight for the first ten to fifteen minutes of the game. Then we got a grip around the middle third and we took control coming up to half time and we had that lead of seven or eight points”.
Carrig continued, “it was point for point in the second half, we played well, we worked hard and we used the ball to get some good scores, I am happy with the performance but we have a lot to work with as well going forward”.
Asked if there was concern when they conceded a goal from a penalty midway through the first half he replied “we have been solid all year. We believe in our ability. We have trained hard, we have a group pf players that can change things, we are never phased by what is in front of us. We keep going and dealing with what’s in front of us. It’s next ball, next score. It’s all about the next part of the game. There will be upsets, you concede goals, you make mistakes, but you just keep pushing on, it’s important to re-set which we did and got the next score”.
