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*Rory O’Connell comes into the championship off the back of a strong league for Clarecastle. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Clarecastle go into this season’s championship determined to show that they have benefited from the experience gained last year.
“Our aim is to give a good account of ourselves and to get out of the group but right now we are not looking past the first round. There is no point in looking beyond that. If we look past that we will be well beaten. Cratloe are an experienced team. They have been in the latter stages of the championship”, Clarecastle manager Brian Russell said this week.
“The lads that made their debut last year are a year older and wiser and hopefully they will continue to progress and show the potential they have. We have experienced players also and we will be looking for them to do their work and support the younger players”, the manager added.
When it comes to the Magpies in senior championship, there is an expectation to deliver. “There is always pressure when you are in Clarecastle. It’s seventeen years since we last won and there were longer spells prior to that without a title. I don’t feel pressure to win a championship but the pressure is to perform”.
Russell is satisfied that “there is a lot of work being done at underage level. We have won a minor title not so long ago and we were in two finals at minor level in recent years. Trying to get these lads to keep playing the game is a challenge at times. Look if we get two or three every year to progress to senior level it will be good”.
Among the young players drafted into the panel this year are James Doherty Sean Egan and Evan O’Connell all of whom have shown flashes of their skill during league action this season
For now everything is geared towards their meeting with Cratloe on Saturday. The team is captained this year by Bobby Duggan who missed much of the early season league action due to injury. With five wins from nine games they finished in the top half of the Division 1B league table.
Killian McDermott, Darragh Healy and James Doheraty were amongst the players to impress in the league when the experienced Stephen O’Halloran and Patrick Kelly also made valuable contributions.
Finishing bottom of their group last year and then being involved in a relegation battle hurt Clarecastle hurling people. Those involved are determined there won’t be a repeat this year.
Management: Brian Russell (manager); Shane Mullane (coach) Anthony Daly (selector), Colin Higgins (selector), James McMahon (selector), Eric Flynn (selector); Catriona McMahon(Analysis); Bernie O’Regan (physio)
Captain: Bobby Duggan
Key Player: Darragh Healy
One to Watch: Rory O’Connell
Fresh Blood: James Doherty Sean Egan, Evan O’Connell, Aaron Hayes, Niall Tuohy, Niall Brigdale
Departure Gate: Stephen Ward, Josh Brack, Dylan Brown
Titles won: 11
Last season’s run: Finished bottom of group. Relegated but survived when Crusheen successfully appealed relegation format.
Schedule:
Round 1 v Cratloe
Round 2 v O’Callaghans Mills
Round 3 v Ballyea
Round 4 a bye
Round 5 v Broadford
