*Cathal Malone. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CLARE’S senior hurlers are expecting a defining seven day period in their season when they begin their championship campaign at home to Limerick before travelling to Cork for the second round.
Midfielder Cathal Malone has labelled it as “a massive week” for the panel and management.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, the Ennistymon man noted that the growth of their panel so far in 2024 has been a big plus. “Our aim all season has been to develop a panel. Everyone is playing well. Our focus has been one game at a time. It was good to get the win over Kilkenny. We were under pressure in the last fifteen minutes and it’s good to come out on top in those games. Everyone is playing well and there is serious competition for places”.
Based in Lisdoonvarna as a secondary school teacher, Cathal said of the start of the provincial championship, “we know from the last two years that you can’t get ahead of yourself. Every game in Munster is tough and there is nothing between the teams. After Limerick we have Cork and last year we only had a point to spare. We will take confidence from the league final win, it was great to win it and it came down to the wire. We know Limerick will provide a massive test”.
Beating Kilkenny in the Allianz National Hurling League final was the “first big game” for Conor Leen, Cian Galvin and Darragh Lohan according to the Sixmilebridge clubman. “There is huge confidence amongst the forty that make up the panel”.
Malone was well aware that Clare will have to be on their toes for the threat posed by the five in a row chasing Limerick this weekend. “In the league final Kilkenny were better at the start and that is something we will have to improve on. Our total focus is on Limerick. There will be a massive atmosphere in Cusack Park and I am really looking forward to the game. There is always a serious atmosphere in Cusack Park. We love playing there”.
Acknowledging that winning the league title was important for the panel he stressed that celebrations were put aside as final preparations for the latest Shannonside derby are finalised.
While he readily accepted that the team is facing a huge test one could sense that he is clearly excited about the fixture. “Everyone is playing well and there is a great air of confidence in the camp”.
