Club pride in the blood

WHILE Martin Guerin did not go in search of the manager’s job with his beloved Liscannor, his appointment to the position was no great surprise.

“For anyone that plays for the club, it’s a huge part of their life and it’s expected that most will join the backroom team some day. I played up to last year and while I didn’t go in search of the manager’s role this year, it just happened that way,” he explained.
Martin’s backroom team comprises Danny McDonagh, Martin Clohessy and John Torpey, who takes charge of the training.
The team boss first played for the club in 1986, a year after the current club was formed. “I played underage football with St Bridget’s which catered for Liscannor and Ennistymon. Our club was formed in 1985 and won the junior league and championship that year. We won the intermediate title in 1988 and played senior the next year but we dropped back to intermediate soon after, as emigration hit the area badly and we had to wait until 2000 before regaining senior status,” he explained.
Guerin was a member of the teams that contested the county finals of 2002 and 2008 and continued until last year.
“We have qualified from the group stage every year bar one and that says a lot about the players character.
“On Sunday, we are up against one of the strongest clubs in the county but when you get to a final, you are going to be playing the best. We are facing a huge challenge and we are under no illusions about that. Our semi-final form won’t be good enough and we are aware of that. We will have to up our performance this week,” he added.
“Football is a huge part of life in Liscannor and everybody does what they can for the club. The love of the club is there and this is reflected in the many Liscannor people who return from various destinations to support the team. Ours is a small community and a lot have emigrated to England and America. They return home for county finals when we get there, as do the many Liscannor people who live outside the parish in different parts of the county and country.
“It’s a proud occasion for past players and for the parish that the team is in the final on Sunday. We will let them worry about the build-up and we will concentrate on getting ready for the game.”
The fact that Liscannor is involved in the biggest day in Clare football is not putting any extra pressure on the team.
“People are just delighted that we have got to another final. You can only do your best and we aim to do just that.”
He acknowledged the initial aim was to get out of the group. “All accepted that it was going to be tough to get out of our group but we were confident that if we could achieve that, we would take a bit of beating. Our group included the county finalists of the past two years and the current Cusack Cup champions, so it took a bit of doing to qualify. We had a bit of luck along the way but it was all about being prepared for the first game.”
Like all who are involved with the North Clare club, Guerin is concerned about the future of the club, which is hit with declining numbers.
“Numbers are dwindling but this is the same for all rural clubs. Many have to emigrate to find work and families are getting smaller and this will have an impact on clubs in the future. Up to now, a few groups of players have come through together in adequate numbers. They have been exceptional footballers and this has stood to us and is the reason why we are at the highest level for the past 10 years, during which we have won three Cusack Cup titles.”
He added, “Teams rarely win without a break or two along the way and a bit of luck that all winning teams get but then you must make that luck yourself. We will try to make Sunday a day to remember for our club and our community. We are up against a club with a great tradition and a team that are favourites to win the title. We are up against it but we will give it a right good shot,” he promised.