Tag Archives: Brian O’Connell

Brian O’Connell, his management team, and his players have dragged Clare minor hurling off the floor in the past two seasons writes Joe Ó Muircheartaigh, who spoke to the Shannon man who never had any doubts about taking up the job and bringing this generation as far as they could go. July 14 2021, Semple Stadium, Thurles. A Wednesday evening, in high summer, but it was like a morning in the darkest of winter, so dark it was just black, with no white, never mind any primary colours. Dickensian. Depressing. Bleak House and Hard Times were two tomes that came from Dickens’ quill – this was those and much more and it was the worst of times as Clare’s minor hurlers were on the receiving end of a 6-28 to 0-6 hammering from Cork that evening. Where do you go from there? How do you even go on? Brian O’Connell’s answer was to jump at the opportunity to manage the …

With Clare appearing in their first All-Ireland Minor semi-final since 2012 against Offaly this Friday night in Semple Stadium (throw-in 7.30pm), manager Brian O’Connell believes unity is a key ingredient to his side’s success. With a renewed focus towards developing and improving underage structures within the county, the work is starting to bear fruit as Clare are now just 60 minutes away from a first All Ireland final appearance at this grade since 2010. O’Connell has worked with this group of players at U-15 and U-16 level as he believes the continuity that this group have enjoyed has helped them gather results this year. “We have a good few people in the development squad structure that have put in a lot of work. Kieran McDermott and Donal Moloney are two that have invested a lot of time. This is the first group where we’ve had that S+C and continuity between coaches. Maybe we just got lucky with this group but …

Their potential is unquestioned. Anyone that was in Páirc Ui Rinn or the Gaelic Grounds for their last two provincial outings can testify to that. However, the fall-out from that devastating Munster Final penalty shoot-out against Tipperary was that Clare found it difficult to pick themselves off the floor against Galway. Thankfully, any threat of a further spillover were quickly dismissed according to relieved minor manager Brian O’Connell immediately after their return to winning ways against Laois on Saturday afternoon. “We could tell during the week and again this morning that there was much more energy in the camp. We probably tapered off our preparations after the Galway game and gave them plenty of rest as they were tired mentally and physically. “So we were delighted that they were in good form this morning. “Getting back to winning ways is brilliant for the confidence. No matter what sport you play, winning becomes a habit so it was important for us …

It promised to be a great occasion. The renewal of a rivalry that has seen few battles between these sides at this grade saw a well regarded Galway outfit and a Clare side hurting from Munster final anguish lock horns. With a healthy crowd on an ideal afternoon for hurling the stage was set for a ferocious contest. Considering this was just the fifth time Clare and Galway have met in the Minor Championship this century, all indications before throw-in was that this was going to be a rip-roaring battle between two counties with eyes on putting one foot in the knockout stages. Instead, Clare struggled with all aspects of the game as they fired nine points and 15 wides during the hour of hurling. By contrast Galway notched 0-25 and just 10 wides as Fergal Healy’s side blitzed their opponents. Aside from a 10 minute spell in the second quarter where Clare outscored their opponents by 0-6 to 0-3, …

Eoin Brennan previews Clare’s opener in the Munster Minor Hurling Championship against Tipperary in Semple Stadium Thurles tomorrow WITH the championship already underway, the Clare minor hurlers are immediately embroiled in a group decider when making their competitive bow against Tipperary in Semple Stadium on Tuesday evening. With the Banner having a bye while the Premier County edged a compelling opening battle with Waterford on away soil this week, Clare will have to hit the ground running on Tuesday evening to get up to championship speed. However, with former county senior captain Brian O’Connell at the helm along with former senior managers Cyril Lyons and Donal Moloney, Clare aren’t short of experience or leadership from the sidelines as they prepare to enter the championship fray. Even if O’Connell admits that most of that experience isn’t “I’m a complete novice at it but I’ve been involved with this team since Under 15’s,” admits Wolfe Tones clubman O’Connell. “I’m living in Oranmore …