*Lissycasey’s Aaron Griffin. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Securing their place in the quarter-finals of the Clare SFC is a “huge” achievement for Lissycasey, their senior manager has said.
By Gerry Quinn
Last year’s beaten semi-finalists advanced to the quarter-finals after recording a three point win over neighbours Clondegad on Saturday afternoon.
Work-rate was critical to the victory, Lissycasey manager John Ryan maintained. “You always want that bit more. The one thing about it is the work-rate that we had today got us through. In fairness to Clondegad, they brought a massive amount to the table today. They really upped their game as well. But I was happy with our lads – their work rate was great. When we lost Matt O’Shea in the middle of the field through injury, a big player, they dug deep again and that was the main thing”.
Coupled to this, the Cratloe resident highlighted the contribution of their five substitutes. “The subs that came on today, they did very well. It’s not fifteen going out and winning a game anymore, you have to use your bench. I think our bench today got us over the line”.
Ryan was pleased with how Lissycasey dealt with the concession of a Podge McMahon goal on forty three minutes. “We responded to their goal and I suppose it was a great answer when they got the goal, that we went back down the field and got a point and that kind of lifted us again. I think the turn-over of Sean Hayes here (right-sideline), on the line with a few minutes to go – he turned over a ball that he shouldn’t have. I don’t know how he got to it but he did, turned it over and off-loaded it.
“But luck it’s huge for the club. You know, it’s been a great championship so far, because when you lose the first one you are on the back-foot and basically after that we just drove on. We are in bonus territory now. And we’ll have to move on from there. Hopefully we will re-group on Wednesday night at training. We have a lot of injuries – Matt O’Shea is a big concern but look we just have to re-group now and take it from there”.
