*Declan McMahon. Photograph: John Meyler

Former St. Senan’s Kilkee and Clare player David Russell is in his second season at the helm at Cooraclare, he and his backroom team are looking forward to making a greater impression this season.

Manager: David Russell
Selectors: Michael Corry, Paddy Harvey Charlie O’Gorman, Kevin Shalloo (S&C)
Captain: Pearse Lillis
Titles: 10
Most recent: 1997
Key player: Pearse Lillis
Fresh blood: Micheál Garry, John Lillis

The squad has been working hard since the lockdown was lifted and teams were allowed to resume training. “Everyone is delighted to be back training and playing. Hopefully there will be no hiccups as it would be a killer blow if we didn’t get to finish the season now that it has started/. All players are thinking about is playing the games” the former Clare star told The Clare Echo.

Cooraclare would have preferred a championship format similar to last season but “the format was decided by the virus and players have no choice now but to go with it. Our preference would be for groups of three with the winning team going through to the competition semi-finals but look its great to be back playing”.

The Kilkee native believes that the availability of the inter county players to their clubs “is a huge help. It’s great to have them all the time and their presence certainly has livened up training. They want the best and that ensures that there are no easy sessions”, he said.

Inter county man Pearse Lillis is the club captain this season and he is a key figure in their team. Tom Downes who missed out last season is also available. Both are dual players with Lillis featuring with Ballyea while Downes does his hurling with Éire Óg.

Looking to their opening round on Sunday, Russell believes that “St. Breckans have a great pool of talent. A bit of rivalry has build up between the clubs in recent times when they have met at minor and under 21 levels fairly regularly. Its a healthy rivalry. Sunday’s meeting should be a cracking contest”, he said.

The Cooraclare boss noted the impressive form of the North Clare side in winning last year’s intermediate championship and then progressing to the Provincial final. “It’s all about getting to the next level and with talent you try and get there so we know that we are facing a difficult test”.

In Michael Corry, Paddy Harvey and Charlie O’Gorman, the Cooraclare manager has an experienced backroom team, all of whom have served Cooraclare well over the years.

In addition to Lillis and Downes, the mid Clare outfit will be looking to Killian Roche and Jack Morrissey to cause problems for the North Clare side while impressive teenagers Micheál Garry and John Lillis are expected to make an appearance at some stage. They were part of the Cooraclare minor team which accounted for St. Breckans in the Minor Division 2 championship final in 2019

Last year Cooraclare were grouped with Ennistymon and Doonbeg. In their opening game they were eleven points behind their opponents at the final whistle. That score difference proved costly in the final analysis as it came down to that after they drew with Doonbeg. In the relegation play off they had a big win over Corofin to secure their senior status. This time out they are determined to step up on last year’s form.

Related News

SONY DSC
Gardaí investigating theft from Bank of Ireland branch in Clare
bunratty band stand 2
Blunder on Bunratty Bandstand sees Council pay up to €40k before pausing works
fr iggy mccormack mark nestor 1
Diocese of Killaloe launch year-long initiative encouraging men to join the priesthood
abbey street car park dig-2
War of words erupts with Ennis 2040 DAC & Save Ennis Town at loggerheads
Latest News
ennis rfc management 1
Ennis RFC Seniors & U14s continue winning ways
fr iggy mccormack mark nestor 1
Diocese of Killaloe launch year-long initiative encouraging men to join the priesthood
burrensmokehouse-1473
Burren's Birgitta among leading speakers at Canadian Terroir Symposium
clare v dublin 24-06-23 20 mark rodgers
Rodgers & Hogan shortlisted for Young Hurler of the Year & Clare get 9 All Star nominations
abbey street car park dig-2
War of words erupts with Ennis 2040 DAC & Save Ennis Town at loggerheads
Premium
ballycannon heights meelick 1
'Lights out' in several Clare housing estates prompting Council to voice 'dissatisfaction with ESB'
jack kelly newmarket celtic v fairview rangers 16-04-23 30
Newmarket Celtic began successful defence of FAI Junior Cup & wins for Avenue, Fair Green, Olympic & Shannon Town
remembrance walk ballyvaughan 27-08-23 14
'I will pay for the speed ramps myself' - inaction in North Clare criticised by widow
cliffs of moher shuttle 2
Bid to ban daytrip buses from Cliffs of Moher fails to get backing of North & West Clare councillors
cratloe v kilmurry ibrickane 16-09-23 dermot coughlan david podge sean collins 1
Cratloe in stronger position with sole football focus

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
Enable Notifications for the latest news and updates OK No thanks