*Scariff defender, Seán Collins. Photograph: Ruth Griffin.
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SCARIFF make the short journey to Dr Daly Park in Tulla on Saturday afternoon hoping to bridge a thirty two year gap.
The records show that Scariff’s last success in the Clare cup (senior hurling league) was in 1994, that final not played until 1995 which turned out to be a very special year for Clare hurling.
Team manager Donal Moloney knows what winning Clare’s second competition means as he was a playing member when his club defeated Clarecastle on the last occasion they won this title. Selector Ger Rodgers also played in that final.
Chances to win competitions are rare in Clare senior hurling, Donal noted. “A lot of clubs may not place too much of an emphasis on the competition. There are only two competitions at senior club level in Clare, the Canon Hamilton and the Clare Cup and sixteen teams compete in both. We respect the competition and treat it accordingly”.
Moloney’s passion for Clare hurling is reflected in the amount of work he has done and continues to do putting structures in place to help prepare players to represent Clare at the highest level.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, he said he was “delighted with the semi-final win over Newmarket-on-Fergus. It was a really good game, hugely competitive, in which the lead changed hand on a number of occasions. Both teams played their best when against the breeze. The game was played at championship intensity for the most part”.
Scariff will again be without a number of their panel for Saturday’s final and included in the absentees will be Mark Rodgers who is part of the Clare panel for Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final clash with Limerick along with Scott Cairns and Éanna O’Brien who are currently in the U.S.
Facing off with O’Callaghans Mills in Saturday’s final has generated plenty of interest for the game in East Clare. “Clubs with lower population go through bigger peaks and troughs in terms of the level of performance. It’s down to demographics. Look at Feakle and how well they have done in last seven or eight years. The Mills were relegated but bounced back straight away. They are working exceptionally hard with their resources and so are all clubs in Clare. People recognise that we need to manage our resources very well”.
The Scariff manager expects that there will be a big attendance at Dr. Daly Park on Saturday. “Both clubs have a strong loyal following and this final will also generate some interest outside both parishes. Some people don’t treat this competition with huge importance but for us it’s the only competition at present The championship will take care of itself when the time comes, right now we have to prepare for this game and adjust when the championship comes. We are of the view this is important for developing players and that’s the way both have approached the competition this year”.
