*Diarmuid O’Brien. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
BROADFORD are bidding to make the knockout stages of the Clare SHC for only the second time since returning to the top tier.
Crowned intermediate champions in 2019, Broadford have only advanced to the knockout stages of the senior championship in 2020 since earning promotion back to the top grade.
Right now their minds are firmly fixed on the opening round and nothing better than a derby encounter to help focus their gaze.
Rivalry between clubs is a key ingredient in what makes the GAA so attractive.
In every county there are some very intense rivalries, more often than not between teams from neighbouring parishes.
One of a number of such rivalries in Clare is between East Clare neighbours Broadford and O’Callaghans Mills and their meeting in the first round of the 2024 senior championship is expected to attract a very big crowd to Clonlara on Friday evening.
This year Broadford are managed by Paddy Meehan who hails from Sixmilebridge where he has been part of a lot of successes enjoyed by the club since they won their first senior title back in 1977.
A winner as a player, he has been part of a number of successful management teams in the ‘Bridge where he has served in a number of officer positions including that of chairman.
Paddy’s backroom team includes another Sixmilebridge man, Martin Conlon who is the Broadford S and C coach this year.
Another former Sixmilebridge player and championship winner with the club, Danny Chaplin has been heavily involved with the Broadford club over the past twenty years.
Heading into Friday’s eagerly awaited opening game, Meehan is under no illusions as to the magnitude of the task facing his side. “It’s a difficult test. They won the Clare Cup last year and they are noted for turning over highly ranked teams. We will have to bring our A game if we are to win this one”.
Meehan continued, “there is a great rivalry, it’s a local derby, it’s a most important game as we want to make a good start. A win in the first round will take a slight bit of pressure off and it increases a team’s chances of challenging for a quarter final place. Players will get confidence from a win and that’s the aim”.
The manager went on to say “we have a good bit of work done and I am happy with the work over the last few months and we need to bring that to the pitch now”.
Broadford are boosted by the return to the club of Diarmuid and Donie Whelan after a spell with Tipperary club Ballina.
Padraic Taylor captains the side with Clare’s All-Ireland winning panellist Paddy Donnellan as the vice captain.
There are injury worries ahead of Friday’s game with Darren Chaplin, Eoin Donnellan and Niall O’Farrell all battling to shake off leg and hand muscle injuries. The loss of any of that trio would represent a blow to the team’s hopes as all are experienced players.
They had a good run in Division 1B of the league with six wins, two draws and a loss and they just lost out on a place in the semi-finals.
None of that really matters now as all teams turn their full focus on the championship.
Broadford have an experienced squad with a number of sets of brothers involved. The Chaplins, the O’Briens, the Whelans, the Donnellans have been key members of the squad in recent years and when one adds Stiofan McMahon and Niall O’Farrell into the mix they have a squad capable of progressing.
That said they will need to hit their best form if they are to make a winning start this week.
Management: Paddy Meehan (Manager), Ger Hickey (coach) Ian
Doyle, P.J. Moroney, Martin Conlon (S&C),
Captain; Padraic Taylor; with Paddy Donlon (vice captian)
Key Player: Diarmuid O’Brien
One to watch: Eoghan Gunning
Fresh Blood: Diarmuid and Donie Whelan; Eoghan Gunning;
Departures Gate: None
Treatment table: Darren Chaplin, Eoin Donnellan, Niall O’Farrell
Last season’s run: Didn’t get out of the group
Titles Won: None
Schedule:
Round 1 v O’C. Mills (Friday August 9th in Clonlara at 19:30
Round 2 v Scariff (August 24th/25th)
Round 3 v Inagh/Kilnamona (September 7th/8th)
