Clare eye spot in Oscar Traynor semis

The Clare Oscar Traynor team will be attempting to progress to the last four in the competition when they take on Sligo in a quarter-final tie at the Ray McSharry complex in Sligo on Sunday at 2pm.

It’s a difficult assignment for the Clare side, as Sligo has an impressive history of doing well in this competition.
“There is a great soccer tradition in Sligo so we know that we are facing a difficult task,” said Clare mentor John O’Malley. The Avenue official is part of the backroom team headed up by Derry native, Hugh Kelly, who is expected back on the sideline with the squad this week having suffered a bereavement last week when his brother died.
Clare have a number of injury worries ahead of Sunday’s game and won’t decide on their final squad until later this week.
”We picked up some injuries in a cracking challenge with Salthill Devor last week and currently both Dave McCarthy, the goalscorer in last week’s challenge, and Adrian McDonagh are receiving treatment for injuries they suffered in that tie. At this stage I would say that their chances of playing are no more than 50-50 but we are keeping our fingers crossed that things will improve,” said O’Malley.
From the team that played in the league section of the competition, Clare have lost Stephen Hickey as his signing for League of Ireland side Limerick rules him out of this competition.
“Because of Stephen’s loss and the doubt about the injured players, we may be forced to add to the panel before the weekend. Stephen is a huge loss to the team but, that said, I was delighted with the display against Salthill,” according to O’Malley.
“Of course, it’s going to be difficult. We had been hoping for a home draw at this stage but it didn’t happen. The lads are really looking forward to the game,” he added before confirming that the panel for the game won’t be finalised until the weekend.
Ciaran McGlynn, who was outstanding against Salthill, and John Healy are the goalkeepers in the panel that also includes Richard Lillis, Con Collins (Bunratty), Trevor Maxwell (Bridge United), Liam Murphy (Newmarket) and Avenue’s David Russell, who is the team captain.
While Sligo will carry the favourites’ tag, there is an air of confidence in the Clare camp that they can continue their winning run and progress to the semi-final.