Time for Davy to take to the stand

NEXT time out, Davy Fitzgerald must consider sitting in the stand and allow his selectors, Louis Mulqueen and Mike Deegan, to patrol the sideline.
The Clare manager cannot seem to take a step back on the line and watch the game in a detached manner. While his raw passion and an unyielding will to win are admirable traits, in this instance they are destabilising Clare. Instead of targeting specific players, opponents are targeting the Clare manager, seeking to rise him, knowing that even if he doesn’t explode, their efforts will at least lead to a lapse of concentration on the sideline. Rival managers are unlikely to be orchestrating this approach; it’s just that players who know Davy are taking it upon themselves to have a cut. He wants to win more than anybody involved but sometimes taking a step back can be a proactive route.
How it is possible to concentrate on what is happening on the field if a manager is in the ear of the referee or linesmen and telling opposing players how many All-Ireland medals he has won?
Mulqueen and Deegan had to watch the game at the opposite side of the field from where their manager and the substitutes were located. Even if the mobile phone link was crystal clear, it’s impossible for a selector to clearly convey his thoughts via a mobile or alternative communication links. Would it not be worth changing how Clare operate on the sideline for their qualifier game on July 14?
In terms of fitness, Clare were exceptionally well prepared. On the hurling front, they didn’t persist with the possession game evident during the league. They played a more direct game, seeking to find Conor McGrath, who clearly showed that in a one-on-one situation, he has the zip for most defenders.
Yet how many Clare players maximised their capabilities in Thurles? Domhnall O’Donovan played superbly at right corner-back and couldn’t have given another drop, while McGrath, John Conlon, Paudge Collins, on his debut, and Jonathon Clancy all had a few good moments, though not enough of them.
What will frustrate Davy Fitzgerald more than John Mullane and Eoin Kelly picking at him is the fact that Clare were just two points shy of Waterford, even though their half-back line was well beaten. Conor Cooney was off the pace at corner-back, Cian Dillon had trouble dealing with high balls, midfield was outplayed, Enda Barrett and Colin Ryan didn’t cut it up front, while Pat Kelly gifted Waterford their first goal.
Again it was direct, high ball that flummoxed the Clare full-back line and led directly to the goal.
This team is largely fairly young and is evolving but let’s remember, Waterford had four players making their Munster championship debuts. Two of their newcomers, goalkeeper Stephen O’Keeffe and corner-back Stephen Daniels, excelled. Of course, those players were able to bed in while surrounded by the know-how of ‘Brick’ Walsh, Mullane, Kelly, Seamus Prendergast and Stephen Molumphy. Clare don’t have players of similar experience or stature.
So the county’s abysmal Munster championship record has worsened. Sunday’s defeat means Clare have won just three Munster championship games since 2000 and haven’t won a game in the provincial championship in 11 of the last 13 seasons.
The 19 players who hurled for the county last weekend in Thurles didn’t fail because of lack of effort or desire. They lost because when the game was in the balance, Waterford were composed and availed of more of their scoring chances, shooting just four wides, compared to Clare’s 10.
Without a doubt, referee James McGrath’s ridiculous decision to award a penalty against Cian Dillon, and not a free out, was of huge benefit to Waterford. Awarding that first-half penalty was a huge factor in swinging the game towards Waterford.
Once this weekend’s club championship games are over, management will have to examine how they can go about restructuring their starting 15.
Liam Markham had a decent outing at midfield against Kilkenny in the league semi-final and must surely come into the equation either there or at wing-back, while Nicky O’Connell and Pat Donnellan could also be moved to the half-back line, with perhaps a fit Seán Collins starting at midfield?
Seadna Morey is yet another quality option at wing-back. In his 12 minutes or thereabouts on the field, Morey looked comfortable in the heat of championship.
Brian O’Connell could be another option, either at corner-back, in the half-back line or midfield, while hopefully a couple of weeks hurling will further sharpen Darach Honan, who may well have buried his half chance of a goal, had he been hurling sharp. Free-taking is another area that Clare will have to examine, as a free and a 65’, both in the last five minutes, were spurned by Nicky O’Connell.
A broad question worth asking is have Clare improved on their 2011 championship showing? They were easily beaten by both Tipperary and Galway last year but at least competed manfully last Sunday.
That indicates they have improved, just not sufficiently to win tight Munster championship matches.
This Clare squad cannot be considered forever ‘promising’. They must deliver soon and that means winning a championship game against a top-tier county.
Otherwise Clare’s ‘golden generation’ of hurlers will not fulfil their apparent potential at adult level.