Sports

Derrick Lynch There is no doubting where Martin Conlon’s loyalties will lie for Sunday’s Clare senior hurling final as the Sixmilebridge man forms part of Tim Crowe’s backroom team when they go in search of consecutive titles for the first time in almost 30 years. There are usually no secrets between neighbours in derbies like this but Conlon will have a unique insight into the opposition having spent three years involved with O’Callaghan’s Mills under the stewardship of Pat Loughnane. It was a time of progress in the East Clare club, with their championship hopes only ended in 2017 and 2018 by Ballyea. That work hit a stumbling block last year as they contested the relegation final but a renewed effort has now seen them set up a repeat of the 1993 decider. Conlon, who was part of the last Sixmilebridge squad to win titles back to back in that 1993 showdown, is not placing too much importance on his …

Eoin Brennan The words never directly came out of his mouth but there was definitely a clear sense that Bryan Donnellan’s return for a 19th season at senior level for O’Callaghan’s Mills was overtly motivated by their brush with relegation at the backend of 2019. As the captain, the 38 year old felt an extra responsibility to prove to even themselves that their spiral into the danger zone was merely an aberration. And how glad he and indeed O’Callaghan’s Mills are that their experienced core remained committed to the cause as far from the anxiety of an impending demotion showdown, the Fireballs are now on the cusp of a first county final in 27 years. “I think the championship in Clare, while I like the format of it, is not forgiving at all. This year obviously we knew that there was no relegation so that helped. Last year after back-to-back defeats to Clonlara and Newmarket, your championship year was over …

Derrick Lynch Since Kilmurry Ibrickane kick-started the most successful spell in the clubs history by winning the 2002 Clare senior football championship, Michael Hogan has been an almost ever present feature. That was his debut year as the then 18-year-old marked his first appearance on the senior team by helping the Bricks to bridge a 9 year gap with victory over Liscannor in the decider. It would prove to be the first of 18 senior football campaigns for the Quilty native in a remarkable career which will culminate in him leading his side out for Sunday’s showdown with Cratloe in Cusack Park. He also went on to be part of the Kilmurry team who became the first Clare club to contest the All-Ireland senior club football final in 2010 as they lost out to St Gall’s on the showpiece day in Croke Park. There was a year in 2012 when travel in Australia was the priority but the call of …

Derrick Lynch If Sixmilebridge are to prevail in Sunday’s Clare senior hurling final, Seadna Morey will be a key figure in their bid to put titles back to back. The county star has been a central cog in their success over recent years as he provides a constant attacking launchpad in the middle third. He has also been an ever present on the county squad since his breakthrough in the early part of the last decade saw him being part of the All-Ireland winning panel in 2013, while also being a key man in Clare’s U-21 dominance in that period. He says finding the balance between club and county panels can often be a difficult task, and feels the format in 2020 of having uninterrupted club action is something that should be maintained for the coming years. “I really have enjoyed the club scene this year. In other years we would have been focused on the county and only been …

Ahead of Sunday’s Clare SFC final, former Clare U-21 manager and Clare FM analyst Joe Garry runs the rule over Kilmurry Ibrickane and Cratloe and assesses how each side will approach a mouth watering tie. And then, there were two. After 16 championship games, played at six venues , two memorable semi-finals, all played under the dark shadow of Covid, the two best club sides in Clare will contest this weekend’s final. I was one of the fortunate few that got to witness both semi-final contests. A total of 7-60 over the two games, (6-38 from play) made for terrific entertainment but will have given both Aidan Moloney and Colm Collins plenty food for thought. I can’t see scoring chances being as flaithiúilach this weekend. Both camps know that the concession of 3-11 or indeed 1-15 will, in all likelihood, derail any thoughts of housing Jack for the winter. It’s easy to surmise that Marty McMahon’s return, after suspension, to …

Derrick Lynch One of the reasons that Cratloe are back into the Clare senior football final has been the form of midfielder Diarmuid Ryan. The underage county star and current senior hurling panelist has played a key role in their march to the decider, with his two late goals against Clondegad crucial in kickstarting their backdoor journey. The Mary Immaculate student teacher feels the manner in which they have bounced back from an opening round loss to Lissycasey has been a real positive. “In some ways it was a blessing because it really focused the minds and I felt we really upped our performance after that, particularly against the likes of Miltown where we finished really well. We are not really known at times for finishing games strong and even the last day with five minutes to go we were still struggling but it was only when Podge got that goal that we settled down. We know the next day …

Eoin Brennan There was never any doubt that Gary Cooney would follow in his father’s footsteps in the famed O’Callaghan’s Mills senior jersey. Along with elder sibling Ciaran, the Cooney brothers have provided a new injection of talent to an already experienced core, just as their father Donal did when embarking on his first county final in Carron in 1986. County decider reverses to Clarecastle (1986), Éire Óg (1990) and Sixmilebridge (1993) could never be solaced by a handful of Clare Cup crowns as despite being perennial contenders, Donal Cooney and Co. were unable to emulate the club heroes of the 1930’s or even stop the ‘Bridge from securing back-to-back crowns for the first time in their history. 27 years on and history repeats itself once more as their near neighbours are looking to retain their title once more against the Mills, with Donal Cooney now a selector and his sons proving instrumental cogs on the team. However, while the …

Derrick Lynch When Mark Killeen started out on his senior football journey with Kilmurry Ibrickane, it was clear that he was destined to end up as key cog in the full-back line. He had plenty advice at the kitchen table at home, with his father Kevin being a corner back of distinction for the club, including being a central figure in their championship success in 1993. When asked how much of the dark arts of defending were passed on to him by his father, Mark is quick to point out the differences in how they approach that role. “The TV replays would not have favoured him too much anyway. He had a different style of football to me. My style would be more trying to be out in front of my man” he laughs. Since his first county final appearance in 2005, Killeen has developed a reputation as one of the best man markers in Clare club football. Understated in …