‘By God did we make hard work of it,’ says Clare boss

Clare certainly like to give their supporters value for money. I mean it would have been very boring had the Banner only built upon their seven point first half cushion and running out comprehensive winners with the wind at their backs for the second period.

Manager Colm Collins could see also see the humorous side to getting over the line for what was their first ever championship victory over Meath.

“We’ve had a bad time with them haven’t we?” quipped the Cratloe clubman immediately afterwards.

“I think we played them five times since I’ve got involved and hadn’t won but the last day we played them here in Cusack Park during the league I thought we were a lot closer. So I was optimistic today but by God did we make hard work of it.

“Listen, the bottom line is that it’s great to be in the hat on Monday, that’s the most important thing but overall I don’t think we’re going to get too carried away with that display.

“We definitely have to tidy up our shooting big time and a lot of other areas of our game too but it’s good to win. Andy [McEntee} has had the Indian sign over us for the last few years so it’s great to finally have a win against them.”

The statistic of the entire match had to be the bizarre fact that both sides drew a blank in the first quarter with the wind at their backs, with Clare faltering in the second half which let Meath right back into a contest that should have been put beyond their reach by that stage.

“I felt that we were rushing shots just thinking that because the breeze was there that they were automatically going to go over the bar. That never works, you still have to be careful and make sure and get into the right position which we did ironically against the breeze.”

Clare also had a penalty saved but Collins did have sympathy for David Tubridy who had to endure a two minute wait and change of jersey before being allowed to take it.

“I think it was tough on David [Tubridy] to have to come over to the sideline and change his jersey before taking the penalty. That was tough on him but thankfully we got out on the right side of the result and we can slag him about it now.

“Setbacks like that, it’s just about persisting really. I mean this group of players have been incredible, they really have, and everyday they go out they give everything they have.

“And when things have gone against them, they still fought and battled so when you’ve a group like that, you never give up the ghost and thankfully they came good at the end once more.”

And with the long qualifier path to redemption a thing of the past now with the introduction of the Tailteann Cup, that cathartic victory has catapulted Collins and Co. into the last 12 teams in the country.

“It’s massive. Last time out, we didn’t want to be beaten by Limerick obviously but when we got a bit of time to look at it we were saying that maybe it was not a bad route to go.”

It’s all motorway this Saturday anyway as the Clare bandwagon make their way to Jones Road for a rare but welcome outing in GAA Headquarters against Roscommon.