*Austin McMahon of Feakle celebrates their round two win. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Feakle’s senior hurlers are taking nothing for granted ahead of this weekend’s final series of group games knowing a win will take them into the Clare SHC quarter-finals.
Having secured a shared of the spoils against Clooney/Quin in the opening round, Feakle recorded a one point win over Newmarket-on-Fergus to tee themselves up nicely for their final round outing with Éire Óg.
Manager PJ Kelleher who guided the East Clare side to their first Clare Cup crown in thirty three years referenced the win over Newmarket-on-Fergus as a vital win.
“It was a hard fought game and we didn’t expect anything else. We knew it was going to be a savage battle and that’s the way it turned out. Great credit to our lads who battled everywhere. Lads came off the bench and contributed also, it was a great win. We were a man down and our lads showed savage character. They battled for every ball. We are delighted with this victory. We are not guaranteed anything,” the Bodyke man stated.
Desire was lacking from Newmarket’s perspective in this clash according to Blues boss, Tomás Ryan. “It was a very tight game. Looking back, Feakle probably wanted that a little bit more. They worked that bit harder than us. When they went down to fourteen, we didn’t respond brilliantly, We wasted a lot of ball and it’s not what we are trying to do. It’s disappointing but we will have to press the reset button and come back”.
