Championship Corner With Colin Ryan

From watching the games last weekend, it is clearly evident that the successful teams had a clear and structured game plan and executed it clinically.

Of the losers, Wexford certainly do have a game plan and unusually were below par, but the remaining teams looked devoid of ideas even in trying conditions.

Unfortunately, if anything, the weekend just strengthened Limericks favourites tag. They look like they are on a mission and as I discussed last week, each player is so familiar with their role. The razor sharp passing around the middle third, working the ball into the best position for a score or delivery to the forwards was a joy to watch. On the other hand, Tipp fell into the trap of lumping ball into Limericks full back line with the wind, unsuccessfully. I have been involved in teams who fell into the same trap and when it does not work it is as demoralising for you as much as a morale boost for the opposition. Galway looked the next best of the weekend’s winners. With a nice mix of physicality and phenomenal striking from distance, they created a lot of scoring chances. They got their match ups right, especially Aidan Harte, who was given the job of shutting Rory O Connor down. Jason Flynn, Cathal Mannion, Conor Whelan and Brian Concannon all stood up and the over reliance on Joe for scores from play was nullified. I liked Waterford’s performance and by all means, they looked like they knew what they were doing and remember, this was without their scorer in chief in Pauric Mahony. They suffocated Cork and in equal measures, opened them up with their speed of transition from defence. They looked sublimely fit and well drilled. Tadgh de Burca plays the sweeper role to perfection while also acting as play maker in the quarter back role. Kilkenny are Kilkenny. Dogged, well drilled, but most importantly with TJ and Colin Fennelly, they have goals in them. Their frailties showed in the second half for all to see though and teams will analyse this carefully.

That brings us to next weekend, I felt after the weekend’s results, that the draw did not hold as much weight for us. With the possibility of Laois, Dublin or Wexford I certainly rested easier on Sunday night. They are all teams that Clare have beaten in recent times and certainly in my time playing, we never held too much fear going into these fixtures. That is not to say that we were always successful though. Dublin in Parnell Park are a different animal but when you take them outside of that, they are very beatable. The possibility of a derby with Wexford would have excited the neutrals but that is not to be, just yet. Laois was the best possible draw Clare could have got but to be fair, Laois were probably thinking the same. I am always a firm believer that a draw is only as good as you make it and a big performance will be needed Saturday to overcome the opposition. Cast your eye back just over twelve months ago and Dublin were in the same position as ourselves. They did not fare too well and Laois pulled off one of the stand out performances and results of 2019. Clare cannot fall into the same trap. Eddie Brennan does not seem to have them performing to the same level this year but they are still a real threat. Remember, it’s knock out hurling now, no second chances.

Against Limerick, Clare had a plan; protect the full back line and get Tony on the ball as much as possible. Laois will have studied this and you can be sure they will deploy a man maker on TK. Brian will have been working on a new plan over the last two weeks but the question is, will there be changes? I feel Clare will have to pick their best and strongest ball players from numbers five to 12. It is where this game and any game going forward, will be won or lost. I think Shane O Donnell would and could do a massive job at 11 for us. His ability to win hard ball and his vision to find others could only be a plus for us. We need ball winners at 10 and 12 so we have more variation in puck outs but these players need to be mobile enough to support our defence also. Could this push David Reidy to midfield where he could be an essential link in transition? Centre back is a problem for us at present and the lack of a specialised six, since the loss of Conor Ryan, is causing problems. I, personally, would go with David McInerney for the remainder of the year and he could be flanked by Aidan McCarthy (if fit) and Diarmuid Ryan. All three of these would only strengthen the scoring prowess of our half back line on top of being vital cogs for years to come.

It is the perfect draw to get the wheels back on the wagon, but only if we take advantage of it.

With expectation comes pressure, but the best players react to pressure. This Clare team certainly has more left to give in this championship.