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*Donal Madden with Clonlara players Paraic O’Loughlin and Colm O’Meara. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CLONLARA’S supporters defied the instructions of Clare GAA officials to stay off the field of Cusack Park after they advanced to the Clare SHC final for the first time since 2016, to create special scenes in what has been a memorable campaign to date.
By Adam Maloney
Donal Madden’s men have reached the Clare SHC Final for the first time in seven years after the eight point victory over Feakle on Sunday afternoon.
Madden spoke post-match as the South-East Clare outfit gave a tremendous display in Headquarters as they overturned the rugged challenge of Feakle, with many prodigious individual displays on the evening from Mícheál O’Loughlin, Colm O’Meara, the two Galvin brothers and most notably the top scorer from play and man of the match of the day, Aidan Moriarty with 0-5 from the middle of the park.
Moriarty’s display was of particular pride for Donal given that the club will hold the annual Jack Moriarty Tournament, an annual event held in memory of the late Kerry native who was heavily involved with the club prior to his untimely death. “Yeah, look it, he’s a class act, I’m just delighted for him lads you know, I’m just over the moon for him ahead of the big day next Saturday in memories that his dad would have been one of my best mates right, he was so good to me when I came to Clonlara at first, He will be a proud man today to see the way his two sons hurled out there”.
Two-time champions Clonlara have been a different beast this year, showcasing a hunger and tenacity that had been lacking in recent seasons. They have improved game after game, continue to be unbeaten and prepare for their fourth championship decider since their three point title winning final against Newmarket-on-Fergus in 2008.
Madden is very pleased with his sides run in this championship but is aware that the job is not finished just yet. “Absolutely, and we’ve nothing won left, there’s no trophies, there’s no cups, but look it, this is just unreal for our club you know, It’s special guys, it really is special”.
Sunday’s semi-final win over Feakle was their second competitive meeting this year. The clubs shared a 1-23 a piece draw in the Future Ticketing Division 1A League campaign but Clonlara ended Feakle’s championship run with a commanding display.
Clonlara’s manager was full of praise for their East Clare opponents. “Feakle are a great side, but I’d say one thing about Feakle, they’re so decent, they’re so honest, over straight away shaking hands, we’ve great battles with them, there is never a dirty belt and I’d have huge respect for Ger Conway and all those guys, and the O’Connor family, I was down shouting for them when they were playing with Tulla, I’m a past pupil myself and I was on the line driving those lads, they’re just a really good club, we would look up to a lot of those guys, the way they handle themselves, their behaviour on and off the pitch so that is 100% genuine, and I mean that”.
Clonlara’s final task will be the revisit of their final group game as they play Crusheen in Cusack Park once again. Crusheen have exceeded the odds in both of their knockout games eliminating Newmarket-on-Fergus and Scariff. “Ah sure look it, we probably gave Crusheen the kick they needed and their performance was head and shoulders above what we did today, they were outstanding and look it, they’ve obviously came back and got their house in order, but we’ll go back and we’ll prepare and see where it takes us you know”.
Clonlara will face Crusheen in the Clare SHC Final on Sunday the 22nd of October in Cusack Park.
