*St Joseph’s Miltown’s Conor Cleary. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
ST JOSEPH’S MILTOWN came out on top in the opening round of the Clare senior football championship described by their manager as “a scary prospect”.
By Peter O’Connell
Liscannor’s Martin Guerin is in his first year as Miltown boss and he hailed the spirit of his charges as they stormed to an opening round win at the hands of Doonbeg, defeating the Magpies on a score of 1-14 0-14.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Martin reflected, “Any time you come out the right side of Doonbeg in a championship game, you’re happy. They’re a mighty championship side. The first round of the championship is a scary prospect. I think we showed great character.
“Our attacking play was excellent, our defensive play in the first half left a little bit to be desired because you just can’t give away frees against the likes of David Tubridy. He’ll just stroke them over all day. We asked the lads to tighten up on that in the second half and I think they did in fairness. The first round is the first round and there’s always going to be mistakes,” he added.
Guerin admitted, “we just don’t know when Eoin (Cleary) is going to be back” with the Clare captain yet to line out with the club since the county’s exit from the All-Ireland SFC. “He’s working hard and doing his rehab. Cormac (Murray) and Cian (O’Mahoney) shared the responsibility and the scores between them”.
In Eoin’s absence along with the attacking duo, Martin felt Conor Cleary stepped up to the plate when it mattered. “Conor Cleary won a couple of massive kick outs late in the game and he was well found by Seán (O’Brien) I have to say. We probably had less options in the first half and that’s something we’ll have to work on”.
Last September when the clubs met in the relegation play-off, Doonbeg recorded a 2-19 1-16 victory. This time round, the Magpies came out on the wrong side and manager John Keane felt they didn’t show their dominance on the scoreboard.
He said, “it was always going to be a battle. The conditions were tough for both teams. The pitch was very greasy and there were going to be mistakes. We kicked away a bit of ball and I think that was the difference. We didn’t capatilise on the scoreboard enough when we were in possession. But it was a savage battle, the lads gave it everything and unfortunately, we came up short”.
All is not lost and Doonbeg will return with a video analysis session on Tuesday, eager to pick up the pieces from their opening round defeat. “We have to go again now. That’s championship football. That’s what it’s all about. We have to sit down on Tuesday evening, watch the video and look at the areas where we need to improve. I think they’re fairly obvious. We have to work on those, and we have another big challenge ahead in two week’s time”.
