Conor McGrath is a doubt for Cratloe in Saturday’s championship clash with Clarecastle. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
As has been the case for the past decade, the bulk of the players who represent Cratloe are senior level are facing into another very busy club championship campaign.
As a top ranked team in both senior hurling and football the high number of dual players in the club are facing two months in which they will have a championship game every week and this will be a longer campaign if they progress to the knock out stage of the championships.
“They are well used to this”, according to hurling manager Conor Earley. The Tubber native admits that “there is always pressure. It’s eight years now since they won a title and in that time they have been competing very strongly. The pressure to win comes from the players”.
Like most of his fellow managers, Earley stresses that “the focus of the hurlers right now is on the meeting with Clarecastle. The first game is vital and we have only had out county players back with us in the past two weeks. We have to take it one game at a time”, he said.
As they complete their preparations for their opening game against Clarecastle, there is concern for the fitness of their most experienced player Conor McGrath who is a key member of their squad.
Clare’s All-Ireland medal winner from 2013 is struggling to shake off a hand injury and a final decision on whether or not he will play against the Magpies won’t be made until nearer match time. Aaron Costigan is out for the season due to a long term injury.
Should Conor McGrath fail to recover from injury in time to play this week, it will represent a big blow to the team as he has been a key performer for the side throughout the past decade.
They will be looking to team captain Cathal McInerney, the Collins brothers, Podge, David and Sean, Gearoid Ryan, Shane Gleeson, and Liam Markham to lead the way.
Management: Conor Earley (manager), Joe McGrath (selector), Jody O’Connor (selector), John O’Gorman (selector), Aaron Carroll (selector), Oscar O’Dwyer (S&C); Ger Crotty (Physio)
Captain: Cathal McIerney
Key Player: Diarmuid Ryan
One to Watch: Sam Sheedy
Fresh Blood: Sam Sheedy;
Departure Gate: Shane O’Leary(emigrated)
Titles won: 2
Last season’s run: Finished second in group before losing quarter final clash to Inagh/Kilnamona
Schedule:
Round 1 v Clarecastle
Round 2 a bye;
Round 3 v Broadford
Round 4 v Ballyea
Round 5 v O’C. Mills;
