Consistency the key for Clooney-Quin

AT the start of the season, Kilmaley were listed as one of the favourites for honours but things haven’t gone according to plan. Just last week they were relegated to Division 2B of the Clare Champion Cup and they head into this weekend’s championship clash with Clooney-Quin knowing that anything other than a victory is likely to see them go out of the championship title race.

In fairness, the fact that they played the majority of their league games without the experience of Diarmuid and Conor McMahon and Alan Markham, because of their inter-county involvement, has not helped. In addition, they have had to contend with injury problems but they hope to have a near full strength squad available for this weekend’s clash with Clooney-Quin, who currently lead the group with maximum points from their two outings.
The retirement of Colin Lynch has robbed Kilmaley of one of their most experienced players, in a year in which they have introduced a lot of players to senior hurling. Included are a number of their successful minor A championship winning side from last year, which include Dara Keane, John Cabey, Martin O’Connor and Colin McGuane.
Clooney-Quin have Brian Shalley back in their squad, as he has returned from a spell in Australia. They have shown mixed form in recent years when they have had some great games with this Saturday’s opponents.
They will be looking to the likes of Fergal Lynch, Cathal Egan, Conor Harrisson and Cillian Duggan to lead the way this week.
Consistency has been a problem for Clooney-Quin in recent years and their followers will be hoping that they can maintain the form they have shown in the opening rounds this week. If they manage to do that, they may just about come out on top, a result that would see them through to the knock-out stages.
Clarecastle will have to play their match against Broadford on Saturday without a number of first-choice players, due to injury.
Last week, they played their final game in the Clare Champion Cup against Tulla and they picked up a number of serious injuries. Conor Plunkett suffered a broken hand, while Derek Quinn picked up an ankle ligament injury in that tie, ruling both out of contention for this week. Mark McNamara was also forced to retire in that tie due to a hamstring injury, which renders him a major doubt for this week’s tie.
Pat Kelly travelled to the US some weeks ago and received a 60-day transfer. While he is back in the country, he cannot play until the 60 days have expired.
There is also a doubt about the availability of Dara Moloney for this week’s game. He is due back from holidays this weekend but it’s not clear if he will be back in time for the game.
While they have qualified for the Clare Champion Cup semi-final, Broadford have had a couple of disappointing results in recent weeks, losing their opening tie to Clooney-Quin and losing to Corofin in the league last week. Another defeat would leave them struggling to make the play-offs.
They will be looking to the Gunnings, the Chaplins, the Corcorans and the O’Briens as they chase victory against a Mapgie outfit that will include John Casey, Tyrone Kearse, Jonathon Clancy, Ollie Plunkett, Stephen O’Halloran, Aaron Considine and Seanie Moloney. The loss of Conor Plunkett, in particular, is a big blow to the Magpies but they should still have enough experience to edge home ahead of their East Clare opponents.