Tag Archives: Clare hurlers

THE Clare County Board will closely monitor its senior hurlers over the coming week after two members of the Wexford hurling panel tested positive for Covid-19 this week, writes Dan Danaher. Wexford GAA chairman, Micheál Martin has confirmed that two players within the panel have tested positive for the virus. A spokesman for the Clare County Board confirmed that Croke Park had not directed the board to test its senior hurlers following Wexford’s confirmed cases. However, the board will closely monitor Clare hurlers and will request a Covid-19 test without delay, if this is deemed necessary at a later stage. It is understood the fact the match was played outdoors is regarded as low risk in terms of transmission. At the time of writing, there seems to be no doubt hanging over Clare’s vital clash with Laois in Portlaoise next Sunday. Clare hurlers complete a Covid-19 questionnaire and follow all the relevant protocols to limit the spread of the virus …

DR Michael Harty has told Dáil Éireann that Clare would lose inter-county hurlers, if parts of the county were subsumed into Limerick. He was speaking on a Private Members’ Local Authority Boundaries Review debate on Tuesday, which looked at similar issues in Cork. “Anyone familiar with Clare hurling will know that most of our senior team, which has been successful in recent years, come from that area. I am sure people in those areas would not swap the saffron and blue for the green of Limerick, although I am originally from Limerick myself. These are the issues that are important to people when a boundary change is proposed and they are not to be underestimated,” the Independent Clare TD told Dáil Éireann. “Such was the opposition to this proposal that it was not politically possible to pursue it and the then Minister, Phil Hogan, decided not to act on the annexation proposal. A group called Clare Against the Boundary Change …

Clare have been dealt a double blow ahead of Sunday’s National Hurling League final, with John Conlon and Paul Flanagan both ruled out. Conlon, one of the stars of the win over Kilkenny, has not recovered from a leg injury picked up in that game and, at this stage, he is also a doubt for the Munster championship semi-final on June 5. The injury is understood to be similar to that which kept Tony Kelly and Jack Browne out of action for almost two months. Paul Flanagan will also miss the final due to concussion. Discussing Clare’s involvement in the 2016 National Hurling League final is not something that was expected when the competition got underway back in February. Yet here they are, putting the final touches to their plans for a tilt at title-holders Waterford at Semple Stadium in Thurles on Sunday at 3.30pm. Undefeated in 11 competitive outings this season, Clare will go into Sunday’s decider determined to …

CLARE GAA has not formally hired a public relations consultant to work with the senior hurling set-up, according to board chairman, Michael McDonagh . News of Colm Galvin’s arrival back in Clare from the US on Tuesday was announced officially via Dunphy PR, a Connolly-based company owned by Mark Dunphy. The media release, it was stated, was “issued on behalf of the Clare senior hurling management and players”. “The 2013 All-Star midfielder’s return to the Clare panel has been welcomed by senior hurling manager, Davy Fitzgerald,” it read. In response to a Clare Champion query, Michael McDonagh said, “The Clare County Board have not hired a PR consultant. However, Dunphy PR is advising the county board in a voluntary capacity on how best to communicate with the media.” He maintained that this is a proactive step and one that may be formalised at a later date. “Clare GAA is a high profile organisation and, like other organisations of similar status, …

Clare senior hurlers have laid down the gauntlet for their Waterford rivals, nominating the team to take on the crossbar challenge and beat their score of 12. The Clare side is the first county to take on the Charity Crossbar Challenge, which aims to raise money for the Irish Heart Foundation and a local charity of the rivals’ choice for every cross bar hit. A video of the Clare team was recorded during a training session at Cusack Park, on Tuesday evening, including crossbar attempts from manager, Davy Fitzgerald, as well as selectors and other backroom members. It was an evening of fun, as some of the team’s top shooters were off the mark, while a number of players who normally operate behind midfield showed pinpoint accuracy. Davy Fitzgerald, who himself is fitted with two stents, nominated the Waterford senior hurlers to take on the Challenge next and deadline is Monday. See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFBKSVDvTuk

AFTER a great start to the league with impressive wins over Tipperary and Kilkenny, the Dublin senior hurlers were brought crashing back down to earth on Saturday night, when they suffered a drubbing at the hands of Cork at Croke Park. An 11-point loss should see the Ger Cunningham-managed side come to Ennis on Saturday for their meeting with Clare determined to get back to winning ways and secure a place in the play-offs. Another defeat could see the Ger Cunningham-managed Dubs with relegation worries on their minds going into the final game of the group stage. Davy Fitzgerald and his team will be hoping that the improvement shown in their game against Tipperary will continue and lead to a Clare win this weekend. Clare will have to win their remaining two games and hope that other results go in their favour if they are to have a chance of avoiding the dreaded relegation play-off. It’s unlikely that all of …

Both Clare and Cork are expected to name a mixture of regulars and newcomers on their panels, when they clash at 1pm in the Waterford Crystal semi-final on Saturday in Mallow. Both management teams will be availing of the opportunity to give some of the fringe panel members a chance to impress, as the opening round of the national league approaches. Cork play titleholders Kilkenny in the opening round of the league on Saturday, February 14, while Clare face an away trip to neighbours Galway the following day. In round two, Cork are due to entertain Clare at Pairc Uí Rinn on Saturday, February 21, a fixture that is sure to add to the interest to this weekend’s meeting. In their win over Kerry last week, Cork boss, Jimmy Barry Murphy included regulars, Christopher Joyce, Lorcan McLoughlin, Aidan Walsh, Stephen Moylan and Paudie O’Sullivan from the start, while Daniel Kearney, Patrick Cronin and Seamus Harnady were introduced during the game. …

NOT a feat they’ll be boasting about but the 2013 All-Ireland champions broke new ground in the frenzied cauldron that was Wexford Park last Saturday evening. Since the back door and subsequent All-Ireland qualifier system was introduced in 1997 no reigning All-Ireland championship has exited at the earliest possible opportunity. Defeats to Cork and now Wexford, leaves Clare as the first holders of the Liam McCarthy Cup to fall at this juncture in their title defence. Clare didn’t hand back their All-Ireland title because the players weren’t prepared to give their last ounce. They were met with a fresher, fully committed Wexford team who should really have won the drawn game in Ennis, well before extra-time. Lets be honest here, if Wexford had lost, particularly the replay, Liam Dunne would have searching questions to answer. Their deployment of their two extra men, an advantage they hand for 30 minutes, was almost impossible to fathom. Rarely did they seek to stretch …