*David McInerney. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Clare’s group stage run in the Allianz National Hurling League is as good as can be but David McInerney issued the reminder that the real time for judgement is in the summer months.
Speaking last Sunday evening after helping Clare to a hurling league semi-final date, midfielder David McInerney said. “It’s nice to be unbeaten but I think every team is focusing on the summer. The league is good and we are happy with how we are working so far and we will just take every game as it comes”.
A regular member of the team’s backline over the last eight years, the Tulla man was asked if he is enjoying the switch to midfield.
“It’s something different. I have played a small bit there with the club but it’s totally different to club hurling. I am still trying to find myself out there. I am enjoying being beside Tony (Kelly) and in front of Pat (O’Connor) and a few of the boys”.
Commenting on the team’s impressive tally of 0-27 he said “the forwards were moving well today, their work rate was excellent, off the ball, their tackling was excellent”. McInerney continued, “There are lads sticking their hands up for selection and in fairness to the management they are giving them their chance. It’s great to see competition for places”.
Asked if there had been harsh works spoken in the dressing room at half time about letting a six point lead slip in the minutes before the short whistle the Ennis based primary school teacher said, “We knew ourselves that ten minutes before the half we kind of took the foot off the gas and we paid for it. Any top team will punish you if you take the foot off the gas. In fairness after the break we stepped up and I thought we played well for the rest of the game”.
“Every player over the years has given 100%. It’s a little bit fresher. We have been very lucky with all our management teams, they have been very good”. He noted that under Brian Lohan there is extra emphasis on hitting the full-forward line. “We are trying to look for the full forward line a bit more but at the same time the lads in the half forward line are doing well also. We are mixing it up and so far it’s going well.
