Shane O’Donnell tries to shake off the challenge of Seadna Morey. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
THERE is hunger rather than a pressure to end the wait for hurling honours in Éire Óg while Sixmilebridge are determined to make amends for a disappointing 2023 campaign.
It’s over thirty years since the Canon Hamilton resided in Ennis for the winter. Expectation has been growing in recent years that Éire Óg are close to ending that long wait.
Ciaran Russell is a key player in both their senior hurling and football teams and he has played a major role in their football wins of 2021 and 2022.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, he outlined, “a new year brings new excitement and we are really looking forward to the upcoming campaign. We have a lot of training done and we are looking forward to getting going. We have a lot of young lads in the panel this year”.
“Our hurling first round opponents are Clooney-Quin. We have played them a couple of times in the last few years. They are a strong and up and coming side. Look we have prepared well and we are looking forward to the campaign. If you want to win these competitions you are going to have to beat every team that is taking part,” he said.
When asked if there is a pressure to end the long wait for glory in the Clare SHC, he responded, “I wouldn’t say pressure, it’s more a hunger. We got to the final two years ago but didn’t get over the line. We are hungry to give the people of Ennis a team to follow”.
“The first round is important for every club. For ourselves in the hurling we have been slow to start in recent years. This year there is no room for error with the group we have,” the Garda said.
Alex Morey has been Sixmilebridge’s top scorer in recent seasons and he is really looking forward to this season’s competition. “The whole county is on a high at the minute and it really makes for a great championship. Because of Clare’s great win they will be a bit of added interest this year. It’s always a great championship but there are probably more young lads coming to the games now. This is the All-Ireland for the majority of clubs”.
He stressed that they are “not looking past the first round. Last year was very disappointing for us and we haven’t taken our eyes off the opening game against Doora/Barefield since the draw was made”.
He is proud of the fact that Sixmilebridge will field five adult teams across all championships this year, “Having five adult teams is a serious achievement for the club. Last year, our two junior panels had between 30 and 40 lads togging out, it’s great to have the numbers”.
“There is plenty of competition for places, serious competition between all teams and between the senior and intermediate squads. A lot of new lads played in the Cup (senior league) which will have given them valuable experience.
“Facing Doora/Barefield is unusual for us, we haven’t played each other at senior for ten or fifteen years. They will pose a serious threat, they have some lovely hurlers. Crusheen and Newmarket-on-Fergus are also in the group. We are training since late January, we are geared towards this, the first round is everything, getting two points on the board takes the pressure off,” he concluded.
