*Mark Rodgers will be a vital component of Scariff’s attack. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
A strong senior hurling club back in the forties and fifties, dwindling numbers contributed to Scariff losing their senior status but the reigning intermediate champions are viewed as a side that will have a big say in the 2021 campaign.
Management: Mark McKenna (manager), Johnny Markham(coach), Michael Long, Paul Hayes, Michael Moroney, Donal Moloney, Jim Minogue (Stats) Diarmuid Carr (S&C), Michelle McNamara (physio), Aimee McInerney (nutrition)
Captain: Michael Scanlan
Key Player: Mark Rodgers
One To Watch: Patrick Ryan
Fresh Blood: Patrick Crotty, Keelan Hartigan, Eoin O’Grady, Shane Kavanagh, Sean Collins
Departures Gate: None
SHC titles won: 5
Most Recent SHC title: 1953
Group Fixtures:
Round 1 v Wolfe Tones (August 14th)
Round 2 v Clarecastle (September 4th/5th)
Round 3 v Sixmilebridge (September 18th/19th)
It took Scariff six years to regain their senior status, their determination to stay in the top tier is palpable while their attack which includes Mark Rodgers and Patrick Ryan plus lively shooters such as Shane Kavanagh and Keelan Hartigan will ask questions of many defences.
“It’s a big step up but it’s where we want to be. It took us six years to get back up there and we want to stay there but we are under no illusions as to the quality of the competition which is higher”, Scariff manager Mark McKenna outlined.
Like many of his fellow managers across the county, McKenna is adamant that Scariff “are not looking past the first round. It’s a huge match for the club. Get a result at the weekend and it will be huge for the club”, McKenna when speaking said of their game against Wolfe Tones on Saturday.
For team coach Johnny Markham, its sure to be an interesting fixture. A Wolfe Tones clubman, Markham has played for and managed various teams at the Shannon club.
Manager McKenna admits that Scariff have had “a good league (Division 2) which we won. This has helped our preparation, you cant beat winning. In the current climate it was great to be able to play matches and this has certainly continued the progress of our team”.
Padraig Brody and Tomas McNamara are long term injuries and will not be part of the Scariff squad in the coming weeks. Conor McNamara is unlikely to be available for Saturday’s game because of an ankle injury he picked up early in the league.
Winning last year’s intermediate title was a huge lift for the East Clare club, McKenna noted. Winning the Division 2 League against the same opposition, Tubber has helped with preparations also.
“Of course we want to hold our senior status and there will be pressure to achieve that. In our group we have the county champions and two other clubs that have won the Canon Hamilton title since our club last contested a final. The other three teams in the group have all won Munster club honours while Sixmilebridge have brought home the All-Ireland title. We know that we are facing a huge challenge,” McKenna commented.
