*Conor McNamara is back for another campaign with the Scariff hurlers. Photograph: Ruth Griffin
Lessons from their first year back in the senior ranks in 2021 which saw them miss a quarter-final berth due to score difference sees Scariff determined to hit the ground with all guns blazing.
Speaking ahead of their first round tie, manager Mark McKenna outlined, “Having lost the first round last year, we know what that brings. The first game is very very important and we are looking no further than our meeting with Clooney/Quin. It’s a very tough group and all of our work has been geared towards that fixture”.
“The margins are very tight and we are only in our second year back up in the top flight having won the intermediate title in 2020”, said McKenna who managed the side to that success in 2020,
Scariff have a new coach this year in Joe O’Leary who hails from Ardrahan in Galway, he succeeds Johnny Markham of Shannon. All of last year’s panel have returned this season when the team will be captained by Mark Rodgers who has returned to full fitness having missed most of last season due to injury.
Like most clubs, Scariff played the recently concluded league without a number of players due to a variety of reasons including inter county commitments and injuries. This past week has seen them have their full panel available for the first time. Patrick Crotty, a member of the Clare senior panel along with team captain Mark Rodgers, have returned to action following injury.
“Missing a lot of the squad for a number of league games meant that we were able to give others in the panel a chance to impress. We struggled in the league but we managed to retain our status in the division”, the former player told The Clare Echo.
After another very successful season playing handball, the Irish national champion Diarmaid Nash who plays his handball with the famed Tuamgraney club, is a key member of the Scariff hurling outfit.
Rodgers, Crotty Patrick Ryan, Daniel Treacy and Keelan Hartigan have gained a ot of experience over the past couple of years and these together with Conor McNamaara, Michael Scanlan and Nash give the East Clare side a nice blend of youth and experience which all involved with the club hope will be enough to see them make a winning start next week
Management: Mark McKenna (manager); Joe O’Leary (coach) Mike Long, Michael Moroney, Jim Minogue (Stats), Michelle McNamara and Adrian Whelan (Physios)
Captain: Mark Rodgers
Key Player: Daniel Treacy
One to Watch: Keelan Hartigan
Fresh Blood: Eoin O’Grady
Departure Gate: all of last year’s panel are involved
Titles won: 5
Last season’s run: Lost out on a knockout place on score difference to Wolfe Tones for second spot in the group. Lost to eventual winners Clonlara in senior B
Schedule:
Round 1 v Clooney/Quin
Round 2 v Éire Óg
Round 3 v Kilmaley
