*Mossy Hehir. Photograph: Joe Buckley
NO DOOR has been closed on further additions being made to the Clare Oscar Traynor squad, manager Donie Garrihy has confirmed.
Clare lost their opening clash to Limerick District League in Jackman Park on Wednesday 2-1. It lessens their chances of survival to the knockout stages with just one team progressing from Group A.
For that clash, Garrihy gave fifteen Oscar Traynor debuts with only goalkeeper John Mulready of Bridge Utd previously lining out in the competition.
Experience gained from the loss to a fancied Limerick side will stand to the inexperienced Clare who have only met up for the first time in the last fortnight.
Not all of the initial squad named by the Doolin man were present for their first round tie.
FAI Junior Cup winning captain Eoin Hayes and his Newmarket Celtic teammate Shane Cusack, Avenue Utd brothers Mossy and Conor Hehir, Daragh Corry of Tulla Utd plus Shannon Town’s Daithí Lohan were among those called up by Garrihy but unable to commit for the campaign.
Donie told The Clare Echo that no door is shut on any player prior to their next clash against Kerry in a month’s time. “It’s an open door. Eoin Hayes can’t do it, he tried his best but he just can’t do it, it is a disappointment because if Eoin was here tonight we’re not losing, he would be scoring and that is 100 percent, Eoin has played two and a half games for Newmarket Celtic and has scored five goals, he is in top form since he came back from Newmarket-on-Fergus in the hurling, he is in great condition.
“We have to move on, Jack Ryan, Liam Buckley, Lee Mulready was excellent and Cullen McCabe was excellent, John Mulready was John Mulready, if he was playing in the Limerick League he would be playing in goal for Limerick that is how good he is, he is outstanding”.
