*Clare’s Alannah Ryan. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography

Cutting down on the concession of soft goals is the main objective of the Clare senior camogie panel as they begin preparations for their second encounter of the year.

A largely positive opening round of the National League came undone for Clare through the concession of three green flags in the first half as they lost by five points to Galway on Saturday afternoon.

Reflecting on the contest, Clare coach Conor Dolan was mostly pleased with the efforts of the girls in saffron and blue. “We got off to a super start, they hurled extremely well for the first fifteen minutes. That’s the one thing about the water breaks, you don’t want them to come but in fairness the girls were flying it again once it restarted. It is the first game we played since Cork last year below in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Galway got three soft goals let’s call a spade a spade, that is one thing we need to work on.

“Conceding soft goals is something for us to work on but it is the way we reacted to it, we got scores straight after it which is a great sign of character with them. Fitness is still an issue with us and we need to up that, I couldn’t be happier with the players”.

On the restart of the second half, Galway fired three scores without reply while Clare failed to register a score from play in the entire second half. “They made a couple of positional changes, maybe we on the sideline were a small bit slow to react to it, we’re playing to a structure. In fairness, Galway after ten minutes had to adapt to our structure, they are one of the big tree which are changing their system to suit us which I would take as a compliment,” the Meelick native stated.

Clare’s display was described as “massive” by Conor. “It was a massive step last year to beat Kilkenny in their back garden, we put it down to Galway here in Kenny Park and Galway had to make changes because they were under their gosh, a couple of soft goals and if we can rectify that we’re in a good place”.

Smarter play is needed in defence to limit repeat scenarios occurring as the year progresses, he believed. “It will come with games. I’m not condoning durty hurling but at times you have to give away a good free that you can’t let a girl walk in on goal and unfortunately for the three goals they were soft”.

Dolan who was formerly a coach to the Tribeswomen was of the view that the strength of the Clare panel is growing. Both Aoife Power and Niamh O’Dea are expected to miss their second round clash with Limerick on Saturday while Ciara Doyle who sustained an ankle injury is believed to be a doubt.

Related News

01052025_Council_Cliffs_of_Moher_0059
Rita represented West Clare 'with integrity & dignity' during term as Cathaoirleach
natasha o'brien 1
'I'd rather be difficult than be silent' - Natasha determined to speak out
Shannon Airport (2)
'National Development Plan a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rebalance regional development' - Shannon Airport Group
ennis homecoming 22-07-24 marty morrissey alan o'callaghan 2
'It was a year full of everything' - O'Callaghan looks back on term as Mayor of Clare

Advertisement

Latest News
Shannon Airport (2)
'National Development Plan a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rebalance regional development' - Shannon Airport Group
waterford v clare minor 28-06-25 tommy kennedy ian o'brien ger o'connell 1
All-Ireland final defeat won't overshadow year for Clare minors
ennis homecoming 22-07-24 marty morrissey alan o'callaghan 2
'It was a year full of everything' - O'Callaghan looks back on term as Mayor of Clare
jarlath burns 1-2
GAA President Burns to maintain Scariff Harbour Festival's links with Northern Ireland & GAA
michael mcnamara 3
AI offers generational opportunity for Mid-West to become Ireland's digital home - McNamara
Premium
ennis homecoming 22-07-24 marty morrissey alan o'callaghan 2
'It was a year full of everything' - O'Callaghan looks back on term as Mayor of Clare
1 DSC_9466
'There's no way we're not going to go again' - O'Donnell says no decisions made but exits from Clare camp unlikely
brendan o'mara
Two Gardaí working full-time on case of €10m drug seizure involving Meelick ex Ryanair pilot
charge sheet 1
Ennistymon farmer tears up charge sheet in front of Garda where he is accused of year long harassment of neighbour
monaghan v clare 29-06-25 roisin considine jennifer duffy 1
Monaghan make their mark & send Clare out of ladies football championship

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement