*Matthew Corbett. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
WATCHING Clare win the All-Ireland minor title last season has been a great inspiration to the members of this year’s Clare panel according to Matthew Corbett.
“Clare hurling is in a great position at present. The under 20’s were only a puck of a ball from the All-Ireland last year, the seniors are really going well while watching the minors win last year’s All-Ireland really drives us on”, according to Matthew who spoke to The Clare Echo following training at Clareabbey on Monday.
Like many of his team mates in the Clare panel he believes “being involved in the development squads in recent years has been very good. There are excellent coaches there and our sills level has improved from being part of the squads while we have benefited further since coming into this squad.
Matthew also believes that his hurling has benefitted from his involvement with teams at St. Joseph’s school in Tulla where he is a pupil. “Our coaches there Tomás Kelly, Aidan Harte and Terence Fahy are great. We train with them twice a week while we compete in the Dean Ryan and Harty Cup competitions all of which has helped our game”.
Matthew is also happy to be part of the Clooney/Quin club. “Club teams are going well and we have good teams at underage level. Hopefully we can win a championship in the next few years”.
Looking to Monday’s provincial final he said, “we played Tipp already and it could have gone either way. It was like all the other games. We know there is more in us and if are to beat them on Monday we will have to improve from our last meeting, There is a lot at stake on Monday”.
Corbett’s father Tommy is currently a selector with the Clare senior hurlers, joining Brian Lohan’s management this year.
Playing in front of a big crowd in TUS Gaelic Grounds will not faze Clare, Matthew maintained. “We have played in front of big crowds already this season and we have won and our aim is to continue winning. It’s all systems go for Monday evening and we are not looking any further than that”.
