This article is from page 46 of the 2008-06-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 46 JPG
HURLING in_ Inagh-Kilnamona hasn’t had it so good since Kilna- mona were one of the most feared combinations in Clare during the first 25 years of county champion- ship history.
Ironically, the last of their three titles came 100 years ago, so what chance the newest club in Clare, Inagh-Kilnamona, affectionately known as “The Combo’ or ‘Inagh- mona’ marking the centenary by go- TbOTeare DO SLomAUYE AYA
That they are being considered as championship darkhorses is all down to a meeting of hurling minds from both ends of the parish, that saw the Inagh and Kilnamona clubs amal- gamate. It has changed the hurling landscape in the parish — suddenly everything has changed, from a situ- ation where both had problems with playing numbers, “The Combo’ are being talked up as genuine challeng- ace
The only downside, according to selector Noel Hehir, is keeping a lid on expectations, wholly unrealistic expectations he says because of the minefield that is group one. It’s been hard work to douse the fanfare, but Hehir thinks this has been achieved only a few months into their maiden voyage.
“When we joined up first there
were great expectations from sup- porters that it was going to happen overnight for us. That has levelled off a bit now — we know that nothing happens overnight. Good teams that have been winning down the years are not going to disappear because we here,” says Hehir.
“Obviously when two senior clubs join there will be great things ex- pected, but it takes a while. You’re playing against clubs that have a great tradition of hurling — that will count for a good bit as well,” he adds, downplaying his side’s chances.
However, on the evidence of what we’ve seen so far, Inagh-Kilnamona look to be a team going places. They sit proudly on the top of Division 2A of the Clare Cup, with five wins form SID GLO LUISE NTSAe
And, they’ve played themselves into this position without fielding the same team in any two successive out- ings. Hehir isn’t complaining though — indeed, contrary to others he’s revelling in the fact that unavailabil- ity of players due to county or exam commitments had forced innovation and experimentation with team se- lections.
“We have three on the under 21 panel and three on the senior panel, SO we were juggling around with panel all year,’ says Hehir. “It has been brilliant — we’ve had a chance to look at every player in a competi-
tive situation.
“The players with the county, we know what they’re like and what they’re capable of. It’s the fringe players that we’ve had a great chance to have a close look at in the Clare Cup. If a lad puts it in a good effort in training, plays good in the cup, he puts himself up there to be consid- ered for the championship. Before there were players who might know that they would be playing, no matter how they trained or played.
‘“There’s nothing like competition for places to keep things going and keep everyone interested. There are going to be three teams gone out of the A championship early on and if they were in another group some of those teams would have no prob- lem getting through to the knockout stages. It is tough, but we’re not com- Oe-DbeUbencame
Perhaps, most crucially of all, He- hir and his selectors aren’t expect- ing miracles — they look on 2008 as something of an adventure. A learn- ing experience where they have noth- ing to lose, but everything to gain.
“Our target was to do our very best to get out of the group — if we don’t it won’t be for the lack of trying. We’re not taking anything for granted — we’re happy for everyone to give 100 per cent. After that if we’re not one of the top teams out, we’ll no the base we have to start from next year.”