*A disappointed Colm Collins on the sideline in Semple Stadium. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

When it came to championship preparations the Clare footballers got it wrong according to senior manager Colm Collins.

Collins was, understandably very disappointed with Sunday’s result but he was more disappointed with the team’s performance.

“We played very poorly, it was just one of those days. We didn’t perform and the lads are very disappointed. It’s a knockout championship and that’s the end of our season,” the Cratloe clubman told The Clare Echo.

Early goals conceded at the beginning of the first and second half “proved crucial,” he believed. “They came from our errors and that was bad on our behalf and we are very disappointed with that, We pride ourselves in keeping possession but we were turned over far too often in this game. It’s absolutely crucial to hold possession. In fairness conditions contributed to that in this tie. We were also guilty of poor decision making. Overall, it was one of those days”.

There was no argument from Collins that Tipperary were deserving winners. “Our lads are very disappointed. There are no qualifiers this year, it’s a strange championship. We went out to do our best but it just wasn’t our day”.

However the long-standing manager felt “the game was there for us. While we are awfully disappointed with our display, we could still have won the match. We were guilty of a lot of simple errors and in knock out football mistakes are magnified. We fought back strongly and we played with great urgency in the closing period and we could have snatched it. It just wasn’t to be. It was not one of our better days”.

Recent League encounters with Fermanagh and Armagh did not contribute to a sluggish Clare display, Colm said. “I felt that those games were ideal preparation for the championship tie. Okay, in a normal year you would probably have had at least two weeks ahead of the championship but I won’t give the league ties as an excuse for this display”.

Despite the disappointment Collins believes that “Clare football is in a good position. It’s good to be playing in division 2 and next year coming up against teams like Mayo can only be good for football and good for the young lads coming through. There is decent talent there”.

“We had a tough time picking a panel. To be fair to the fellas that didn’t make the panel for this game, it was a difficult decision. We never got a full game in training. We didn’t get things right, that was the championship we were dealt. Please God all of these young players will come through. There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic”, he concluded.

Related News

helga himmelsbach ballyvaughan protest
Tourist charged with dangerous driving causing death of 71 year old
bothár na rinne shannon
Council pushed to 'expedite' improved design for Bóthar na Rinne
weights gym
Shannon worker and qualified fitness instructor escapes jail for drug dealing
gearoid mannion tom o'callaghan tommy molloy 1
'It is buying votes' - new departure for GMA in Ennis MD criticised
Latest News
clare v dublin camogie 26-03-23 ciara grogan 1
Clare drop down to Division 1B
bothár na rinne shannon
Council pushed to 'expedite' improved design for Bóthar na Rinne
clonlara v kiladangan 19-11-23 aidan moriarty 1
Clonlara & Newmarket-on-Fergus victorious in second round of Clare Cup
weights gym
Shannon worker and qualified fitness instructor escapes jail for drug dealing
gearoid mannion tom o'callaghan tommy molloy 1
'It is buying votes' - new departure for GMA in Ennis MD criticised
Premium
gearoid mannion tom o'callaghan tommy molloy 1
'It is buying votes' - new departure for GMA in Ennis MD criticised
Shannon Heritage Workers Protest at Bunratty Folk Park-5776
Surplus solution prompts councillors to row back on claims Flynn was breaking rules with GMA spend
paul bugler tony killeen darragh mcallister páraic mcmahon 1-2
The Electoral Chair - Varadkar's Earthquake / Clare's political climate / Standout councillors & those stepping away
clare v down 24-03-24 dermot coughlan
'We didn't have a go' - disappointment as ferocious Down keep Clare in Division 3
rabbit doll
Husband & wife secure Protection Orders against each other following 'rabbit row'

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.

Scroll to Top