Online Club Hurling Championship coverage brought to you by the Temple Gate Hotel—home to Chapter 24 Gastropub and Gate 96 Restaurant.
*Aidan Fawl. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
FIGHTING relegation “will be the mother of all battles,” O’Callaghans Mills manager Seán Doyle has said.
Last year’s premier intermediate champions were the early pace setters in the Clare Cup this year going unbeaten to win the league but matters have been more difficult for the Mills by the time championship came around.
A ten point opening round loss to Feakle saw the Mills bounce back against Cratloe but they were rocked by the concession of two injury time goals to be held to a draw and round three ended in a twelve point defeat to Clooney/Quin.
“The relegation will be the mother of all battles,” Mills manager Seán Doyle outlined.
Missed chances were costly against Clooney/Quin, he lamented. “We missed three open goals in the first half that would have made a huge difference and there were two more in the second half, that’s five goal scoring chances. They got one and they converted it”. He said of Clooney/Quin, “They will go a long was in this championship”.
He added, “we did well in the first half, it was 0-12 0-8 at half time. We came out and got the first score of the second half. They are an experienced team and that took over. Their lesser players did well for them today. We were tied up inside in the full forward line but you have to be clinical at this level. When you are playing premier intermediate, this is about six levels above that. We have to regroup, we have bigger matches coming and the one thing we done want is to be relegated again. We want to stay senior”.
Of frustration to the Mills during their last outing was the free count which stood at 16-6 in favour of Clooney/Quin. “We struggled to get frees, they got a few soft ones. We are extremely disappointed. We wanted more from today but we have to say well done to Clooney, tough luck on the Mills. We have to go again. There are strong teams in the relegation battle. The last day with Cratloe getting those late scores took a lot out of our sails. Look they turned over Feakle and they have qualified”.
Hindering their cause has been “cruel” injuries, the Bodyke native lamented. Colm Cleary (knee) joins the already sidelined Gary Cooney (achilles) while full-back Conor Cooney (hand) is doubtful for Saturday’s tie with Crusheen in Dr Daly Park, Tulla at 13:00.
