Mills ‘crucified’ by injuries but determined to avoid dropping straight back down to second tier

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*O’Callaghans Mills’ Mark Pewter. Photograph: Ruthie Griffin. 

“CRUCIFIED” by injuries, O’Callaghans Mills are determined to come out swinging to save their senior status.

Having secured promotion with an unbeaten run to win the Clare PIHC last season, the Mills are eager to avoid dropping back to the second tier straight away.

A two point loss to Crusheen on Saturday has them preparing for a winner take all showdown with St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield to determine who will be playing in the premier intermediate championship next year.

According to Mills manager Seán Doye “the damage was done” in the opening half where they saw corner back Niall Melody dismissed for a second bookable offence. They played with the wind but only led by two points at the break. “The damage was done in the first half. We weren’t overly worried about the wind which was blowing into the Feakle end. It was the second yellow card which I thought was harsh”.

Rian O’Donnell’s goal for Crusheen changed the game, the ex Clare minor and U20 manager lamented. “Look we had loads of chances. We came back well into it in the first half, our legs were telling and we were playing really well but the mistake for the goal. We were on top, two points up and then they got the goal and that changed the game”.

Doyle continued, “we had chances after that again. Donal Tuohy made two great saves. Look we are where we are, we are crucified with a lot of injuries, we haven’t got the calibre of player to come in to replace the ones we are losing. It’s hard to pick it up to go again but look we have to go again. It was a great game of hurling between two sides that went at it and anyone could have won the game. Fair play to Crusheen”.

Colm Cleary and Gary Cooney, two of their key attackers remain sidelined with injury. Attention will be placed to avoiding further injuries prior to the relegation final, the Bodyke man outlined. “It’s going to be hard to mind players for the next two weeks because our squad is fairly depleted at the moment but we will fight on, that’s the nature of the beast. We will have to play St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield, we will try our best and if its good enough its good enough and if it not it’s not”.

He added, “there are good hurlers in the Mills, we will get up and get going again. There is another game. We don’t want to go down, we are competitive but just coming out at the wrong end of a few results”.