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*David Mescall and Cian McInerney jump highest in their clash with Whitgate. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Inagh/Kilnamona’s hunger for success in 2021 can be traced back eleven months when sitting rooms and bedrooms were the location for Zoom S&C sessions as The Combo began their championship preparations, joint captain Cian McInerney recalled.
Disappointments suffered from being knocked out of the championship in the latter stages in recent years has helped Inagh-Kilnamona gain valuable experience. That’s according to team joint captain, Cian McInerney, a member of the teaching staff at St. Colman’s College in Fermoy.
“From last December, even in lockdown, everyone was working hard. It was difficult in lockdown as gyms were closed and we had a lot of meetings on zoom. We were doing our strength and conditioning work on the floors of sitting rooms and the floors of bedrooms but it’s paying off now. A zoom call for forty five lads on a Tuesday evening shows the hunger that is in this group. There were no excuses being made,” Cian told The Clare Echo.
“We have been close over the last four or five years. Against the ‘Bridge two years ago in the semi-final we were ahead with a few minutes to go but we didn’t win. On another day that would have gone our way but they came back and their experience got them over the line. We have gained experience and hopefully that will help us”.
The current management is the third that Cian has played under. “Each management has progressed us and this year’s management has really driven us on. There is fierce competition for places which helps a lot. The games in training are better than any training session. Lads are hungry for places in the starting fifteen and that’s what you want. We have played five or six games and the same team hasn’t started twice. The competition for places is unreal which is great”.
Tony Kelly’s absence for Ballyea is “a massive loss,” the former Clare minor hurling captain noted. “They still have a great team with massive experience. They haven’t got to three county finals without a reason. They have had an edge over us and that will drive us on. They are a great outfit and we are not going to underestimate them at all. We won’t read too much into what the bookies say”.
Reaching the final has been “a great lift” to the parishes of Inagh and Kilnamona, he outlined. “It’s a first county senior final for us. We are not getting caught up. We are keeping our heads down and training away. It’s just another game”.
Underage success most recently Sunday’s Minor A win over Clooney/Quin is being matched by players making the breakthrough at senior, the defender maintained. “It’s no good to you if you can’t bring them to senior level. It’s great to have success at underage level but we have to get players onto the senior level. There will be a great buzz and atmosphere around but we can only try our best and see where it takes us”.
