Default post

CLARE’S free-scoring forwards can trouble Kerry but defenders need to stand up and be counted according to The Clare Echo’s Gaelic Football columnist Martin Daly.

Clare’s footballers showed every bit of their Division 2 class on Saturday as they easily broke down their Division 4 counterparts Limerick, in what was a fourth consecutive Munster quarter-final victory over our neighbours.

In Championship you can’t take anything for granted, but the gap between the sides was noticeable on Saturday. You could see it before the ball was even thrown in by referee Noel Mooney. Colm Collins’ men wouldn’t even have noticed as Limerick pulled away from their pre-match huddle, as they were engrossed in their high-tempo pre-match warm up. Everything was focussed and snappy as it should be – sharpening their bodies and minds for the task at hand.

So it was no surprise that Clare got off the mark early on and looked comfortable. However the 12-point winning margin didn’t do justice to the amount of possession Clare had. At times you thought this game was going to be a total riot. Worryingly, when Limerick battled and actually posed serious questions for our defence, for a time we struggled to answer and offered our opponents’ way too much space. Kerry will crucify us in the semi-final given the luxury of 10 yards of space.

On a more positive note, our half forward line was our strongest on the field. Eoin Cleary was on fire, Kieran Malone kicked his first championship goal and Jamie Malone showed a spring in his step that has been missing. Between them they scored a very impressive 1-09.

David Tubridy, meanwhile, had his best game in years, scoring from distance off either foot. Keelan Sexton – usually a bright spark – was probably our weakest forward on the day, at times going for shots that weren’t on. An eagerness to get on the scoreboard contributed to his few wides and down in Killarney Keelan will expect himelf to take every scoring chance available, or at least recycle possession.

Cathal O’Connor impressed at midfield for Clare. Photo: Martin Connolly

From midfield up we were strong – Cathal O’Connor was imposing, allowing his partner Gary Brennan to sit back and reserve his energy for Kerry where we’ll need him at his best.

Our impact from the bench was also very impressive. Gavin Cooney was part of our minor team that reached the Munster Final last year. He has great awareness and looked the real deal slotting a fine point on Saturday. Gearoid O’Brien and Conor Finucane are also showing Championship potential. It’s positive to see these guys getting championship action and Colm Collins deserves praise blooding the strongest panel we’ve had in years.

KINGDOM COME
Looking ahead to Killarney on June 3, full back Kevin Hartnett’s continued absence will be a huge loss. We have two to three backs who Kerry will have no problem targeting and whether they can survive the test in Killarney remains to be seen.

I think we’ll see a blanket defence in the semi-final, which is disappointing because our free scoring forwards have shown their ability to do damage to any team. Last year in Ennis we put up a great show against Kerry, but now we’re heading to the lion’s den.

The Kerrymen usually don’t come on fire in the first two rounds, so we have a sneaking chance provided our backs put up a strong showing.

Related News

Lunch Time Lifestyle with the Clare Echo Contributers (11)
Celebrate love and brighten up your home this February
electoral chair debate 21-11-24 rita mcinerney 1
Rita slams 'outrageous' ESB for not compensating customers
hitch hike 1
Ennis man pleads guilty to threatening 'light up' hitch hiker
broadband wires
'Unacceptable delays' in rural Clare amid 'complete internet blackout'
Latest News
electoral chair debate 21-11-24 rita mcinerney 1
Rita slams 'outrageous' ESB for not compensating customers
hitch hike 1
Ennis man pleads guilty to threatening 'light up' hitch hiker
gaa referee 1
Clare referees blow back regarding payment of expenses
broadband wires
'Unacceptable delays' in rural Clare amid 'complete internet blackout'
Snn Ryanair 2
Ryanair announce new Madeira route as part of Shannon Airport summer schedule
Premium
clare v leitrim 02-05-25 peter keane 1
Rule on three back 'frustrating' for Keane as he stresses importance of home wins
scool corofin protest 22-05-23 10
Leaving Cert student pleads guilty to assaulting man at protest against rumoured new accommodation for asylum seekers in Corofin
stflannans staff
HSE given deadline over planned €25m hospitals for lands at St Flannan's College
bridge utd v dungarvan utd 02-05-25 liam buckley 5
Bridge Utd book Munster Junior Cup quarter-final spot
pj o'driscoll 1
'One of Ireland's greatest vets' - the legacy of generous gentleman PJ O'Driscoll will live on

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top