Bringing back the buzz

CROKE Park is the arena where some of these players can show their skills, according to Clare selector Louis Mulqueen.

 

“We knew they could perform,” he said. “We just had to get it out of them on the day. When they started well and got a few scores on the board, it settled them and it raised doubts for Limerick, who had had a big break and before that won two matches which they could have lost. They didn’t really know where they were when we were in their faces playing with intensity.”

Reflecting on Clare’s comprehensive win, Mulqueen said, “It’s been our aim all year to bring back the buzz. These lads love the buzz and the atmosphere. We got a great start. Colin Ryan was exquisite on frees. We got some great long-range frees and we were tight at the back. Going in at half-time with a lead, we knew the game was within our control,” Mulqueen said.

The involvement of a large number of the players in the Munster U-21 final has had a super effect, he said.

“It was another match and it meant we weren’t hanging around waiting. The time scale was good. We had won a Munster title and were preparing for this game with confidence. The young lads had performed in a big stage in Thurles and then on to Croke Park. Isn’t that where one would love to be, on the big stage giving big performances?

“Today you saw it – Tony Kelly, Colm Galvin, Podge Collins again, their confidence on the ball. I could not fault any man.”

Mulqueen said tactically they are getting it right lately.

“We had to protect. Hannon was due to come out, Hickey was moving back and James Ryan was moving to midfield. We had to crowd that area. We have forwards that can make up the ground when we drop someone back. It was positive what we were doing, not negative, positive tactics to settle into the game and take control.

“When our lads were in possession, there was no panic, there was a calmness. They found their men. There were a few wides here and there but some of the decision-making was excellent. They stood up.”

Mulqueen continued, “We knew at half-time that Limerick were going to come at us. They got three scores in-a-row, a few from soft frees. We won the next ball and got a score on the board. As the game was going on, it was point-for-point. There was a calmness to get the next score and keep the distance.

“I didn’t feel uncomfortable at any stage of the game. We were ahead, we had the collectiveness as a team, supporting each other and watching the breaks. Overall, this was a very good performance by a very young Clare team.”

He said, “It’s great to get another crack at Cork. Limerick was a great draw for us, so too with Cork, a team that beat us recently but a team that has got better and could have won a Munster title, bar a sending off.

“There are two good fresh young teams in the final. We have to improve again. We have a chance to put right a game that didn’t go right for us. Every game we go to play, we go in with hope. We didn’t come to lose today.

“The U-21s play again this weekend, which will keep lads ticking over. You don’t need training at this time of the year, it’s freshness, it’s ticking into the big games, sharper training rather than long, enduring ones. These are happy days for Clare hurling.”

On Clare’s followers, Mulqueen said, “It’s a fantastic day for Clare hurling. It’s brilliant that Limerick people were quiet in Croke Park.”