Tag Archives: Creggan

INTRODUCED at half time, Podge Collins made an invaluable contribution to Clare’s promotion winning second half display in Creggan. The All-Ireland winning All-Star hurler kicked two crucial points from play and along with players like Shane McGrath, his brother Seán, Ciaran Russell and Dean Ryan, the UL student worked exceptionally hard on and off the ball. Speaking afterwards Podge said that the passion evident in the dressing room inspires him. “You can tell by the way lads talk in the dressing room, before games and at half time, how passionate they are about it. I know it doesn’t sound too glamorous after winning the All-Ireland hurling but it’s absolutely huge, especially in my house. It’ll be a happy house for the night,” he laughed. Collins acknowledged that it took him a few minutes to get up to the pace of the game after his introduction for Jamie Malone. “Coming up to Antrim we didn’t really know what to expect. I’d …

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 …

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).