*Ryan Taylor comes into the Clooney/Quin side off the back of a fine championship campaign for Clare. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Finalists two years ago, Clooney/Quin will face into the 2022 competition with a much changed set up.
Almost half of the team which played in that final are no longer in the squad while there is a new team management this year. Furthermore, a number of players will miss the early part of the campaign due to injury.
“We are in transition”, newly appointed manager Tommy Corbett told The Clare Echo. The former Éire Óg player who represented Clare in a number of grades is well placed to comment on the young talent available to his adopted club where he has been chairman of their underage section in recent years.
“We have a good blend of youth and experience and we are looking forward to the championship”, he said this week before pointing out that their meeting with Scariff in the opening round “is a big game for us. They are in their second year back up in the top grouping, they have a good blend of youth and experience with a number of up and coming players available”.
Amongst the players not part of the Clooney/Quin championship panel are Cillian and Martin Duggan and Conor Harrisson while Ruaidhrí McNamara is another absentee as he is in Australia
Brothers Michael and Jimmy Corry will both miss the early stages of the competition due to injury while Brian McInerney is doubtful.
That said in Ryan Taylor and Peter Duggan they have two players that shone for Clare in this season’s Munster senior championship and they will be looking to these to led their charge
According to Corbett, “the next four or five years are crucial for Clooney/Quin. There are a number of good teams coming through. We have had success at Féile and under 15 levels and we have also done well at minor level in recent times”.
They provided a number of players to the county minor side this year and while they are not eligible for adult club hurling until next year, club officials can look to the future with confidence
Management: Tommy Corbett (manager); Barry Corbett (coach), Tony McMahon (selector), Ronan McMahon (selector), Brian McAllister (selector); Victor O’Riordan (S&C); Rory Nash (kitman) Kathleen Doyle (physio)
Captain: Not named yet
Key Player: Ryan Taylor
One to Watch: John Conneally
Fresh Blood: Evan Maxted, Callum Hassett;
Departure Gate: Cillian Duggan, Conor Harrisson, Martin Duggan, Ruaidhrí McNamara;
Titles won: None (Clooney won the championship in 1942)
Last season’s run: Finished bottom in the group before two wins from three saw them avoid relegation
Schedule:
Round 1 v Scariff
Round 2 v Kilmaley
Round 3 v Éire Óg
