Timid Clare shrugged off by Cork

There is no point in glossing over Clare’s 13-point defeat in Pairc Uí Rínn last Sunday. The most disappointing aspect wasn’t that they were beaten, it was their collective lack of urgency, physicality, tendency to lose the ball in contact and poor distribution.
As Clare manager Micheál McDermott explained afterwards, the panel trained heavily the week before the game and were without some key players including David Tubridy, Laurence Healy and John Hayes.
Yet bar some notable exceptions, the players who lined out against Cork will have to up their game considerably if Clare are to have any chance of eventually emerging from Division 4.   
Cork led 1-5 to 0-1 after 26 minutes, which clearly underlines their superiority during that period. Michael O’Shea scored Clare’s first point from a free, won by Gary Brennan, but they didn’t notch another point for 23 minutes, when O’Shea pointed again after Stephen Tierney had been fouled.
In the interim, the Kilkee man and Podge Collins missed chances from play and frees, while Colm O’Neill cleverly fisted past Joe Hayes after Liam Shorten found him with a judicious pass.
Fichra Lynch, Seánie Cahalane and O’Neill kicked the winners’ five first-half points.
Just before half-time Ger Quinlan scored Clare’s first score from play following good link-up involving Gary Brennan and Eoin Troy.
Cork had it mostly their own way in that half, with their goalkeeper Ken O’Halloran easily finding Fintan Goold with several kick-outs, who was drifting deep from the full-forward line and didn’t appear to be picked up by anyone.
The highlight of Clare’s second-half display was Gary Brennan’s two points from play while Joe Hayes made an excellent save from Liam Shorten 15 minutes from time.
Brennan from a free and David Russell from play completed Clare’s seven-point tally.
While it must be remembered this was only a McGrath Cup quarter-final, Clare were well beaten in most sectors. David Russell and Ger Quinlan, dominant against UL a week previously, were outplayed in Cork, while Clare’s kicking was one of their weakest areas. They gave away possession on numerous occasions, while their support play was also poor.
Defensively, Shane McNeilus and Martin McMahon couldn’t be faulted for effort, nor could centre-back Gordon Kelly, who effected several dispossessions, while Stephen Tierney played solidly in his first full start at wing-back.
Clare didn’t function up front and while some of that was down to a lack of quality ball, they will have to work on their attacking formation before playing Waterford on February 5.
Gary Brennan played his best football when drifting to midfield and his points from play were classy scores. Podge Collins missed a couple of chances following his introduction but looked busy and injected some urgency into the Clare attack.
Following Dara Blake’s injury, Alan Clohessy was relocated to wing-back but was soon moved back to the half-forward line, having allowed Alan Shorten too much space. Clohessy is a quality forward and a proven free taker. Clare need him up front and have plenty cover in the half-back line without having to move one of their key forwards back there.
While Clare had players issued with red and were double yellow carded in last year’s league and championship that cannot derail them from adopting a legitimately aggressive approach to the upcoming league.
Their approach was too timid last Sunday, as can be gauged from the concession of just eight frees, while Cork gave away 24. There is a fine line between indiscipline and necessary aggression. Clare played it too safe last weekend though and must up that side of their game for Sunday fortnight.

Clare: Joe Hayes (Lissycasey); Darren Hickey (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Shane McNeilus (Kildysart), Martin McMahon (Kilmurry Ibrickane); Dara Blake (Liscannor), Gordon Kelly (St Joseph’s, Miltown), Stephen Tierney (St Breckan’s); Ger Quinlan (O’Curry’s), David Russell (Kilkee); Diarmuid Daly (Corofin), Rory Donnelly (Cooraclare), Alan Clohessy (Liscannor); Michael O’Shea (Kilkee), Gary Brennan (Clondegad), Eoin Troy (O’Curry’s).
Subs: Podge Collins (Cratloe) for Dara Blake (19 mins, inj); David Murphy (Ennistymon) for Diarmuid Daly (29 mins); Timmy Ryan (Kilmihil) for Eoin Troy (half-time); Seán O’Driscoll (Ennistymon) for David Russell (54); Darren O’Neill for Ger Quinlan (57 mins, inj).
Scorers: Gary Brennan (0-3, 0-1f); Michael O’Shea (0-2f); Ger Quinlan, David Russell (0-1) each.
Wides: 8; Frees won: 24
Yellow cards: Martin McMahon, Diarmuid Daly, Timmy Ryan.

Cork: Ken O’Halloran; Eoin Cotter, Ray Carey, Kevin Harrington; Conor O’Driscoll, Graham Canty, Aidan O’Reilly; Alan O’Connor, James Fitzpatrick; Fiachra Lynch, Fintan Goold, Liam Shorten; Kevin O’Sullivan, Seánie Cahalane, Colm O’Neill.
Subs: Pearse O’Neill for James Fitzpatrick (38); Seán Kiely for Fintan Goold (50); Paul Kerrigan for Kevin O’Sullivan (54); Michael O’Leary for Fiachra Lynch (54); Michael Shields for Alan O’Connor (57).
Scorers: Colm O’Neill 2-4 (0-2f, 1 45); Liam Shorten (0-3); Fiachra Lynch (0-2); Seán Cahalane, Kevin O’Sullivan, Pearse O’Neill, Conor O’Driscoll, Alan O’Connor (0-1) each.
Wides: 12; Frees won: 8; 45s: 2
Yellow cards: Liam Shorten, Kevin Harrington.

Referee: Maurice Condon (Waterford).