*David Tubridy. Photograph: Martin Connolly
A win was the aim for Clare’s senior footballers when they travelled to Carrick-on-Shannon on Saturday, they achieved in this regard but David Tubridy insisted that they cannot afford to perform like they did in the second half as the qualifier campaign continues.
Clare kicked 3-17 over the hour with Tubridy accounting for five points of this tally. Understandably he was happy with the outcome but he lamented their second half showing which included Leitrim firing six unanswered scores. “We’d a very good first half today, we put up a good scoreline but to concede seventeen points is very disappointing and it’s something we have to look at for next week”.
On what lead to Colm Collins’ side easing up on the gas, the Doonbeg forward felt it was a drop in intensity and complacency drifting into their game. “I don’t know was it complacency with fellas thinking the game was over, we have to learn from it and keep pushing on whatever lead we have going into a second half, I’m very disappointed with the second half”.
He added, “The important thing is that we did the simple things right especially in the first half, we gave the ball to the scoring man and fellas in the better position and we forced things in the second half and took a few wrong options, we have to learn from that and see what happens”.
Having lined out at Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada in previous outings, David was expecting a difficult challenge. “It was a tough spot to come up to today Carrick-on-Shannon to play Leitrim in their back yard, a few people were backing against us thinking we wouldn’t bounce back from the Kerry game, to win and get over the line and into the hat for Monday is great”.
