Can Clare end an 87-year wait?

CONTESTING the provincial junior football final has been a fairly regular occurrence for Clare in modern times but one has to go back to 1925 for the only success in this championship.

 

Should Shane Hickey manage to lift the Munster trophy at Hennessy Park in Miltown, it will bring to an end an 87-year wait for the Banner in this championship.

Clare go into the game as the underdogs but hopes are higher than they have been for some time that a win is possible.

The starting line-up won’t be confirmed until Monday evening at the earliest but it won’t be too far away from that which took to the field against Waterford in the semi-final.

Ian McInerney, a second-half substitute in the semi-final, is expected to start following an impressive performance in that tie. Senior panellists Stephen Tierney (St Breckan’s) and Diarmuid Daly (Corofin) are strong contenders for inclusion in the starting team also. They both played in last week’s challenge against Mayo but it remains to be seen if senior management will make them available.
Kilmihil’s David Ryan is also in contention for a place. He missed the semi-final due to injury but he has recovered and is likely to play at some stage.

The Hickey brothers, Shane and Darren, and their Kilmurry-Ibrickane clubmate Paul O’Connor are expected to feature in defence. Conor Ryan and Keith King look set to continue their midfield partnership while the forward line will include Noel Downes, Paudge McMahon and Paul Reidy.

Five Kilmurry-Ibrickane players started in the semi-final and three more came into the action in the second half. It’s likely the six will start this time with Ian McInerney joining the Hickey brothers Shane and Darren, Paul O’Connor, Keith King and Noel Downes. The other two are Evan Talty and Niall Hickey.

Conor Ryan (Cratloe), Paul Reidy (Kilmihil), Enda Ralph (Ennistymon) and Paudge McMahon (Clondegad) all look certain of inclusion from the start.

Teams managed by current senior manager Micheál McDermott and by Cooraclare’s Joe Garry have got to the final of this championship in the past decade but all have tasted defeat. Kerry haven’t been enjoying great success in the provincial championships in recent years and this squad will be determined to change things. They carry the favourites’ tag but they face a strong and experienced Clare side and they will have to be at their best if they are to leave Hennessy Park with the trophy.