Default post

For the second year in succession, Clare’s minor footballers will compete in the Munster Final and once again they go in as the underdogs.

It was a one-sided affair in Killarney last year as Kerry cruised to a 2-21 0-03 win over Clare. 2018 is different as the age-group is now U17 as opposed to U18, so the panel of players wearing the Saffron and Blue won’t carry baggage of a heavy provincial final defeat but instead will look to atone for the minors of the year gone by, the same group of players that have given them hope in reaching the big day in Munster football.

Wolfe Tones’ Conor Carrig is ruled out through injury for the Banner ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Kerry at Pairc Ui Chaoimh which throws in at 4:30pm. Apart from that, Maurice Walsh and his selectors have a full squad to pick from.

“We’re all looking forward to it, it’s going to be a big challenge for us taking on Kerry but I think our lads are ready for a battle and we’ll perform well and that’s all we’re looking for a good performance,” Walsh told The Clare Echo.

He feels Clare getting to the final for the second year in a row is a huge lift for football in the county. “It’s fantastic for Clare to be in back to back finals. Fortunately or unfortunately with the grade dropping to U17 that none of our lads or the Kerry lads would have been in that position last year so there’s no tailback of squads from year to year so it’s a new venture for us and a new venture for them”.

“We haven’t focused much on Kerry, we’re focusing more so on our game. Kerry have pedigree and tradition but in a final that all goes out the window and our lads are prepared to cope with them things”.

Both Conor Carrigg and Shane Meehan were part of both the county hurling and football panels. Maurice admits that the football management had an excellent working relationship with Sean Doyle and his selectors. “The hurling management has been very good to us and we’ve been very good to them in relation to accessing players. Shane is an exceptional talent for his age and he’s a guy that has to be minded all the way up along”.

Shane Meehan. Photo: Chris Copley

Key to Clare getting a positive result on Saturday is a strong start according to the Éire Óg clubman. “We got a good start against Limerick so we’d be hoping for a similar repeat of that type of performance and expansion of play. If we do that and reap the benefits in front of goal we’ll put it up to them”.

Walsh and his management team have named their starting fifteen to take on Kerry. Ennistymon’s Cillian Rouine captains the side from centre back with dual player Shane Meehan at full forward in a line which also includes Mark McInerney, son of 92 captain Frances.

Clare- 1: Michael Garrihy (St Breckans)
2: Jack Reidy (Shannon Gaels)
3: Darragh Connelly (Ennistymon)
4: John Murphy (Ennistymon)
5: Gavin D’Auria (Éire Óg)
6: Cillian Rouine (Captain) (Ennistymon)
7: Adam O’Connor (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
8: Chibby Okoye (Banner)
9: Emmet McMahon (Kildysart)
10: Thomas Kelly: (Shannon Gaels)
11: Cian McDonough (St Josephs Doora/Barefied)
12: Padraic O’Donoghue (Cooraclare)
13: Kevin Keane (Corofin)
14: Shane Meehan (Banner)
15: Mark McInerney (Éire Óg)
Subs:
16: Mark Cleary (Banner)
17: Joey Droney (Michael Cusacks)
18: Ryan Barry (Ennistymon)
19: Jack Regan (Ennistymon)
20: Eoin Rouine (Ennistymon)
21: Manus Doherty (Éire Óg)
22: Stephen Talty (Éire Óg)
23: Conor Hassett (Kildysart)
24: Tadhg Lillis (Doonbeg)

Related News

boylesports roslevan 1
Judge jails balaclava covered knife wielding robber
enzo d'auria
The Italian Job: How the movie industry brought Enzo to Ennis
martina cleary 1
Sinn Féin announce Clare Pyrite Action Group founder Martina Cleary as Killaloe MD candidate
colette cowan 1
UHL CEO Cowan returns from leave period
Latest News
clare v down 24-03-24 ronan lanigan shane annett
Lanigan looks to the bright side as Clare's league campaign ends
Shirley Brohan headshot
Blossoms on the Go garden centre's tip for the final week of March.
marie donnellan 2
Newmarket-on-Fergus native Marie appointed CEO of Platform94
martina cleary 1
Sinn Féin announce Clare Pyrite Action Group founder Martina Cleary as Killaloe MD candidate
colette cowan 1
UHL CEO Cowan returns from leave period
Premium
colette cowan 1
UHL CEO Cowan returns from leave period
helen downes 1
'We'll meet on our terms & not be dictated to by Shannon Chamber' - Shannon Town Cllrs
helga himmelsbach ballyvaughan protest
Tourist charged with dangerous driving causing death of 71 year old
clare v dublin camogie 26-03-23 ciara grogan 1
Clare drop down to Division 1B
clonlara v kiladangan 19-11-23 aidan moriarty 1
Clonlara & Newmarket-on-Fergus victorious in second round of Clare Cup

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top