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*Inagh/Kilnamona defender, Shane Woods. Photograph: Ruthie Griffin.
‘CHARACTER and leadership’ of Inagh/Kilnamona has been strengthened with the manner in which they have made the semi-finals of the Clare SHC.
Preparing for a second semi-final clash with Éire Óg in six years, Inagh/Kilnamona are bidding to make the county final for the first time since 2021.
Having stormed to a seven point half-time lead over Cratloe in the quarter-finals, Inagh/Kilnamona let this lead slip and were level with forty seven minutes played before hitting the last six points to emerge with a 1-23 1-17 victory.
Manager Eugene Cullinan told The Clare Echo, “It was a really tough battle, we were fairly well on top in that first half but in that third quarter Cratloe threw the kitchen sink at us and we were expecting it but expecting it and dealing with it are two different things, they changed a few little bits, they kept the pressure on us, they pushed up the field and put pressure on our puckouts, they are a fine side that can punish you, they had a few wides too and while they got level with us they never got ahead of us, that was pleasing that we dig it out for a finish”.
Outscoring Cratloe 0-6 0-0 in the final quarter showed a steel that Inagh/Kilnamona have been accused of lacking. “The words we used in the dressing room after were character and leadership, the fat was in the frying pan with ten minutes to go, they stood up and our subs had a great impact on the game, we got a couple of scores and a couple of turnovers, Josh Guyler tracked Diarmuid Ryan up and down the field, the subs put in a huge effort”.
When it comes to the penultimate stage, Inamona need to be more clinical, Cullinan maintained. “We’ve plenty to work on, we left two or three goal chances behind us, we had a few wides too, we’ve plenty to work on but delighted to be in a semi-final”.
Pitched in Group 1 the perceived Group of Death, the Combo finished in top spot with wins over Ballyea and St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield before drawing with Clonlara in the final round. “We were really tested in the group with three tough battles. The three weeks is a funny one, you’re glad with the break but then the momentum can go from you a small little bit, two weeks till the next game”.
That three week window between the third round and quarter-final didn’t hinder Inagh/Kilnamona as they went 1-3 0-0 in front, Keelan Guyler finishing a nice flick to the net on four minutes. “The three week gap didn’t hurt us, we got a challenge in the middle of it and that was a really tough battle in it, two weeks till the next one, the bodies are tired but lads are involved in football too so that will be tough to navigate everything but that is what it is all about, we’ve to get on with it now”.
Though not a dual club, Inagh/Kilnamona have members of their side lining out on the football field with Ennistymon’s seniors (Seán Rynne, Gearoid Barry, Keelan Guyler, Josh Guyler) and Kilmurry Ibrickane (Aidan McCarthy). McCarthy didn’t tog for the Bricks in their quarter-final on Sunday while the quartet of Rynne, Barry and the Guyler brothers all featured as Ennistymon exited in extra time to St Joseph’s Miltown.
On managing the dual demands, Cullinan admitted, “It is not the easiest in the world but with Ennistymon and Kilmurry Ibrickane everyone is doing their best, they are all players who are enjoying playing games, we have to work together as best we can”.
