Jamie Malone admits that last year was frustrating for him as he missed out on most of Clare’s campaign while only being fit to return for the culmination of Corofin’s county championship campaign.
Malone suffered an ankle injury in his side’s Division Two league opener against Laois as he was forced to depart the field after just four minutes. The All Star nominee in 2019 admits it was difficult watching on from the sidelines.
“It has been a different type of year. I never had a long term injury before so it was frustrating. These things happen and they are part and parcel of the game. You feel outside the group when you are not training or playing games.”
“The lads have been almost 12 months on the go at this stage. When I came back I came off the bench in the quarter final against (Michael) Cusacks I got a few minutes. It takes that bit of time to get back in to it. It has been about getting sharp and up to match pace. I needed games under my belt to get there.”
“I think I’m improving because I wasn’t up to the standards I expect from myself in the semi final and final of the county championships.”
Since returning from injury Malone has predominantly been used in the half back line although in his own words against Newmarket he was “floating around the middle third.” He admits it has taken time to adjust from his usual role in the forward line.
“In the first couple of games I was used in the half back line. In the county semi final we needed a defender so I slotted in. I’ve been moved around so I’m just trying to be as influential as I can. I was floating around the middle against Newmarket and it was working a bit better.”
“We have a few younger lads who have been great going forward. In the past I needed to put more onus on scoring but now the likes of Robin (Mounsey) and Diarmuid and Gearoid (Cahill) have been kicking scores while guys like Gearoid Kelly have also been finding the target. I’ve got a freer role so I’m just trying to influence the game any way I can.”
Malone believes his side can gain confidence from their semi final win against Newmarket as a powerful finish to the game saw them come out on top by six points.
“It was very pleasing to look back and how we dug it out. It gives us great confidence when we can kick on late in a game. With them being down to 14 men we had a numerical advantage but we still needed to go out and win the game.”
“Our fitness levels have been good in the final quarter of games so we are confident that we have a big finish in us.”
The primary school teacher states his side have struggled in certain periods of games as he believes his side need to replicate their final quarters against Kildimo-Pallaskenry and Newmarket for the entirety of Sunday’s contest if they are to upset the odds.
“We need to focus on our performance and be sharp in the first three quarters. If we just simply try and be close to them in the final quarter then that won’t be enough. We need a 65 minute performance.”
“In the first quarter against Kildimo (Pallaskenry) and the third against Newmarket we were not converting. In the final quarters we have been creating the same amount of chances but we’ve been taking them. The last few games have given us confidence in ourselves.”
Malone will need a big display to help Corofin in the vital middle third battle with Na Gaeil possessing no shortage of talent in that department.
“In any game you want to make an impression in midfield. He middle eight give us a platform to attack. We have a step up in opposition with Jack Barry and (Stefan) Okunbor just two of the players in there for them.”
“We’ve earned our spot here and so have they so it should be a good game. We can’t worry too much about them. We just have to focus on ourselves and I know we are all buzzing to get out there.”
by Ivan Smyth