Missed chances are a worry

THE final margin in this senior hurling challenge at Gort on Saturday was two points but Clare will know that failure to convert good second-half possession into scores cost them a more comfortable margin.
Ahead by two points at half-time, Clare turned over to have the assistance of the wind but, despite having the better opportunities, failed to convert these into scores. A late goal from impressive Gort substitute Michael Mullins left just two points between the teams at the final whistle.
With most of the third-level students unavailable due to commitments with their college sides, Clare fielded a team likely to be similar to that which will line out in the opening round of the Waterford Crystal tournament on Sunday when Waterford IT will provide the opposition at O’Garney Park in Sixmilebridge.
Gort, preparing for their All-Ireland semi-final clash against Coolderry on February 11, lined out without two regulars, full-back Michael McMahon and full-forward Ollie Fahy. McMahon entered the action at the start of the second quarter but the experienced Fahy sat this one out as he recovers from injury.
Two early points from Daire Keane and a goal from Colin Ryan suggested the Clare side would win this one easily but they didn’t maintain this scoring rate. Indiscipline, which led to the awarding of frees to the home side, was punished as Gerry Quinn was on target from placed balls four times in the first quarter.
Colin Ryan’s goal, an excellent overhead strike adding to a Nicky O’Connell delivery, helped Clare to lead at the break, 1-7 to 0-8.
Shortly before half-time, Aaron Cunningham came in for the injured Ger Arthur, while John Conlon and Caimin Morey replaced Danny Russell and Daire Keane at half-time.
Having introduced Michael McMahon midway through the first half, Mattie Murphy called in the Mullins brothers, Michael and Albert and Keith Killalea at half-time for the Galway champions.
Points were swapped three times in the opening 10 minutes before a Michael Mullins free left the minimum between the teams entering the final quarter. Three in-a-row followed for the winners but a Michael Mullins goal again cut the margin to the minimum before Nicky O’Connell had the final score of the day, a point from a 60m free.
Domhnaill O’Donovan did well at corner-back for Clare, while up front, Daire Keane and substitute Aaron Cunningham impressed.
Michael Cummins, Sylvie Óg Linnane, Gerry Quinn and Michael Mullins impressed for the home side.

Clare: Derek Fahy; Domhnaill O’Donovan, Cian Dillon, Conor Cooney; Ciarán O’Doherty, James McInerney, Stephen O’Halloran; Nicky O’Connell (0-2), Pat Donnellan; Danny Russell, Daire Keane (0-4), Cathal Chaplin (0-1); Seadna Morey, Colin Ryan (1-6, 0-6f), Ger Arthur.
Subs: Aaron Cunningham (0-1) for Arthur; John Conlon for Russell; Caimin Morey for Keane.
Gort: Peter Cummins; Andy Coen, Tadhg Linnane, Michael Cummins; Jason Grealish, Brian Regan, Greg Lally; Sean Ford, Sylvie Óg Linnane (0-1); Gerry Quinn (0-5, frees), Aidan Harte (0-1), Paul Killalea (0-1); Ger O’Donoghue, Ritchie Cummins, Martin Nestor.
Subs: Michael McMahon for Coen; Michael Mullins (1-3, 0-2f) for Nestor; Albert Mullins for Ford; Keith Killilea for Quinn; Martin Moran for T Óg Linnane; Conor Helebert for McMahon.
Referee: Michael Haverty, Galway.