*FILE PIC: Seamus Clancy addressing Corofin players. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
SEAMUS Clancy’s name will always hold a special place in Clare football.
The county’s only All-star footballer following outstanding performances throughout a truly memorable 1992 season, the Corofin clubman is eagerly looking forward to Sunday’s Munster senior football final.
“Clare have had a good run in the Allianz league, particularly so after so many of the players who gave us so much enjoyment over the past decade called time on their inter county careers. Many of the guys who are in the team now have been waiting on the wings, waiting for a chance to show their form and they have that chance now. They may be young but a lot of them were part of Colm Collins’ squad for the past few years”, Seamus commented.
Speaking to The Clare Echo ahead of the Munster Final, he said, “these lads look to be playing good football. They mightn’t have the experience but they have youth, agility, athleticism and plenty football. They look to be well coached so hopefully they will have a cut at it on Sunday. There is nothing worse than saying the next day why didn’t we have a cut at it”.
Kerry are overwhelming favourites for the game, he acknowledged. “Look, everyone is expecting Kerry to win. Realistically, they are All-Ireland contenders, they are in the top two or three whereas Clare are building. Nobody is expecting Clare to win but we are expecting that they will go and have a good cut at it. Attack them and don’t be sitting and trying to keep the score down. There is no pressure on Clare, they are a young team building for the future and this is a shot to see how they are doing”.
Hopes of a strong Clare following in Ennis were voiced by the Corofin man. “The hurlers are getting great support and these lads prepare just as hard. Inter county is a near full time job now and these lads deserve every support. A lot of people didn’t go to the final in 1992 and they wished they had. You never know”.
Clancy recalled, “a couple of years ago in Cusack Park there was only a point in it when Jamie’s (Malone) effort hit the crossbar. It might be easy to say but we don’t want to be going into this game with a negative approach. This team is building all the time, and they need support while they are building. They are representing Clare and they are giving a huge commitment”.
