Tag Archives: Antrim

DEFENSIVELY Clare produced their best display of the 2014 season, conceding just six points. Given that Clare conceded big scores and soft goals against Tipperary, Carlow and London, tightening up at the back was a definite priority for Paudie Kissane and his coaching team as they prepared for the game in Antrim. In fact the home county scored just three points from play and didn’t score at all until the 35 minute. Of course it must be noted that they were playing into a near storm in that opening half. Another area where Clare did well was on their own kick out, retaining the vast majority of them while they managed to win more than half of Antrim’s second half kick outs. Underlining their physical conditioning Clare definitely had more possession than Antrim, particularly in the second period, when they held possession impressively and ran at the Ulster county. However there are several areas where Clare can improve, most notably …

Clare 0-10 Antrim 0-6 A MAGNIFICENT second half display helped Clare to a four point win over Antrim in Creggan on Sunday, ensuring promotion to division 3. Having played division 4 football since 2008 this win was a huge boost to Clare football as it was the county teams fourth recent attempt to secure promotion on the final day of the season. They lost out in 2010, 2012 and 2013. Clare’s second half display was led by excellent performances from half time substitute Podge Collins, who scored two points from play, Shane McGrath, Gary Brennan, along with wing back Ciaran Russell, who had a superb game. Things didn’t look quite so positive at half time though. Clare led 0-4 to 0-2 having played with a very strong breeze at the Antrim venue. Incredibly the game was scoreless until the 19th minute when Martin O’Leary pointed a free. Clare kicked 13 first half wides, while David Tubridy, Seán Collins McGrath added …

By Seamus Hayes The Clare football team to face Antrim in this Sunday’s crucial promotion league tie at Creggan, Belfast will show one change in personnel from that which started against Carlow last week. In fact the management team has named the same starting line up as they did for the Carlow game. Shortly before throw in on that occasion Martin McMahon cried off due to injury and he was replaced by Brian Carigg. McMahon is fit again and he returns at corner back to the exclusion of Carigg. Otherwise the team is unchanged from last week and it is; Pierce De Loughrey (Cratloe); Dean Ryan (Eire Og), Kevin Hartnett (Meelick), Martin McMahon (Kilmurry-Ibrickane); Shane Hickey (Kilmurry-Ibrickane), Gordon Kelly (Miltown St. Josephs), Ciaran Russell (Eire Og); Gary Brennan (Clondegad) Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen); Shane McGrath (Thomas Davis), Jamie Malone (Corofin) Sean Collins (Cratloe); Martin O’Leary (Kimihil), David Tubridy (Doonbeg) Enda Coughlan (Kilmurry-Ibrickane).

MAGIC  moments in an incredible year for Clare hurling were recalled on Saturday night when the U-21s were feted at a function in the Auburn Lodge, Ennis. There was a tremendous atmosphere at the packed to capacity event, as  team members were presented with their Munster and All-Ireland medals Tributes were paid to the achievements of the up-and-coming stars of Clare hurling, among them Hurler of the Year, Tony Kelly, in retaining the provincial and All-Ireland [beating Antrim] titles. The contribution which many of them made to the senior All-Ireland winning side was also acknowledged. The efforts of the management and backroom squad in having the side prepared to such a high level of fitness and skills was praised. Hopes were also expressed that the U-21s, with an infusion of some additional players from minor level, could go on to defend their titles in 2014. The achievement of Davy Fitzgerald and his charges in bringing the Liam MacCarthy Cup back …

Clare 2-28 Antrim 0-12 UNPRECEDENTED times for Clare hurling. A second successive All-Ireland under-21 title, and a third in five years, has given Clare fans reason for celebration but for the majority of the players the celebrations will be put ice for another few weeks. On Sunday, its back to training for 14 of the squad, as they turn their thought to Saturday week’s senior final replay against Cork. Clare dictated matters from beginning to end at Thurles, as Antrim were routed. It was a total mismatch. To their credit, however, the Ulster champions never gave up. Apart from the opening five minutes, when the sides when players were settling in, Clare had their third All-Ireland under-21 title wrapped up midway through the opening half when they had a six point lead. Antrim were clearly struggling to keep with them. Seven minutes from half time, the opening goal came from corner forward Davy O’Halloran and four minutes later his Éire Óg club-mate …

  DESPITE the fact that Clare were raging hot favourites to retain the under-21 All-Ireland hurling title, Clare joint manager Donal Moloney said there was never any question of them taking things for granted. “This had to be done for the team of 2010. We were so disappointed we didn’t win the All-Ireland minor title in 2010. There were the guys that started all the change; that started the revolution for us,” he said as he watched team captain, Paul Flanagan accept the All-Ireland trophy from GAA president, Liam O’Neill. “We should cherish these times. We have a lot of very, very good players and we have some outstanding players.  No matter how hard people work at underage hurling and no matter how hard the clubs work, you won’t always have as crop like that. A new generation has come and  some of them are exceptional. Hopefully, the hard work will continue. These could be a very special few years …