*David Fitzgerald gets away from Shane Reck. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

An All-Ireland semi-final with Kilkenny is now occupying the thoughts of Clare’s senior hurlers and a big improvement is needed, one of their key forwards has said.

Securing their place in the last four was made possible due to the impact from the bench on Saturday in their 1-24 3-14 win over Wexford.

That’s the view of midfielder David Fitzgerald, scorer of Clare’s opening point. Speaking to The Clare Echo, Inagh/Kilnamona clubman said “the bench really got us over the line and SOD’s (Shane O’Donnell) last fifteen minutes was one of the best individual championship displays that I’ve seen”.

Fitzgerald continued, “lads toughed it out. Shan (Aron Shanagher) had some impact off the bench. The way Wexford set up it is man to man for sixty minutes, it’s high intensity the way they play. To an extent they ran out of gas and our fresh legs from the bench kicked in”.

Fitzgerald agreed that “it was always going to be hard to repeat the intensity of the Munster final agains Limerick. There were lots of tired bodies after that game. We were slow to get going today but the bench made the difference”.

Asked if it had been difficult to focus on Saturday’s game given the publicity with regard to the proposed suspensions for Rory Hayes and Peter Duggan he said “not really, everyone stuck to their task. We expected to be without the two lads and that’s what we planned for. Having them was a massive bonus”.

Facing Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final will be “a new challenge, they are a great team, they are Leinster champions and today’s display won’t get us anywhere near what will be required. We will have to knuckle down again for two weeks time”.

Related News

Litter_poster6
Record entries for anti-litter poster competition in Galway
bridgetown farm 1
'We've already missed a generation & if we miss another I don't know how food will be produced'
ballycar railway line train 28-04-20 2
Frustration building as Govt failed to put full steam behind rail works in Ballycar & Crusheen
Photograph by Eamon Ward
Lissycasey GAA grounds to be named in honour of late PJ Kelly

Advertisement

Latest News
louth v clare 15-06-25 peter keane 3
Keane undecided on whether he has 'appetite' to continue as Clare football manager
house key property
Clare's median property prices increase by €20k over 12 months
Litter_poster6
Record entries for anti-litter poster competition in Galway
teresa roseingrave 1
Clare LGFA in disarray as board meeting ends abruptly
clare v kilkenny 06-07-24 brian lohan 2
'We've had fantastic days under his leadership' - Lohan given additional three year term as Clare boss
Premium
clare v kilkenny 06-07-24 brian lohan 2
'We've had fantastic days under his leadership' - Lohan given additional three year term as Clare boss
bridgetown farm 1
'We've already missed a generation & if we miss another I don't know how food will be produced'
REPRO-FREE-Wolfe-Tones-na-Sionna-chairman-Mike-Riordan-with-players-Aaron-Cunningham-and-Aron-Shanagher-club-secretary-Amanda-Hogan-and-H-e1498060076514
Six volume book of evidence served on Limerick man for €1m burglary spree case
hen harrier 1
Hen harrier helps to ground plans for three turbine windfarm in West Clare
project west forestry 1
Over 1,100 acres of forestry in Clare & Galway on the market for more than €5m

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.

Advertisement