This article is from page 54 of the 2011-10-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 54 JPG
CLARE begin their Oscar Traynor campaign with a tricky looking first round tie against the Limerick League in Jackman Park, Limerick tomorrow night (kickoff 7.30pm)
Clare have been pitted in the same group as last year and after their game against Limerick will face a home tie against Galway. Former Rineanna Rovers, Shannon Olympic and Bunratty manager Colm Ryan is the man tasked with guiding Clare into the knockout stages. Ryan is joined on the coaching ticket by Avenue United stalwart John O’Malley and CDSL Munster delegate, Thomas Leahy.
Avenue United’s David Russell will captain a Clare side that will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the outcome of last year’s game between the same sides at the County Grounds. On that occasion, Limerick eased to a 3-2 victory. The visitors took the lead through Pike Rovers’ prolific marksman Alan Barry. Stephen Hickey equalized for Clare but Limerick gradually asserted their authority with goals from Barry and former League of Ireland player Brian Cleary. Damien O’Rourke bagged a late consolation goal for Clare.
Going by the quality of Limerick’s squad alone, Clare face a formidable task. Manager Aidan Ryan has assembled a panel again sprinkled with the heavyweights of the club scene in Limerick. Former Limerick FC striker John Tierney will offer a serious threat to Clare alongside Pike Rovers clubmates Alan Barry and Jonathon Grant. Janesboro, who currently occupy third place in the KBO Premier League provide four players while there is also a strong presence from Fairview Rangers and Carew Park.
Clare warmed up for the Oscar Traynor with a 1-1 challenge game against Hermitage while a side that featured numerous changes at half time eventually went down 4-1 in a friendly tie against the Limerick Desmond league.
CDSL Chairman and former Oscar Traynor manager Donie Garrihy, oversaw a the final training session in Lees Road on Sunday.
Organisation and concentration will be key to Clare’s chances in Limerick tomorrow night. If the visitors can limit their opponent’s ability to engineer chances from wide areas then the creative abilities and pace of Eoin Glynn, Colin Ryan and David McCarthy could cause plenty of problems for Limerick. The Clare squad selected for the Limerick game is as follows: John Healy (Avenue Utd) Joe Burke (Hermitage) David Russell (Avenue Utd) (Capt) Matty Nugent (Avenue Utd) Simon Cuddy (Avenue Utd) Darren Murphy (Bridge Utd) Darren Cullinan (Newmarket Celtic) Ritchie Fitzgerald (Hermitage) Shane Daniels (EnnisTown Rock) Con Collins (Avenue Utd) Packie Darcy (Lifford) Daryl Eade (EnnisTown Rock) Eoin Glynn (EnnisTown Rock) Eoin Hayes (Newmarket Celtic) Colin Ryan (Newmarket Celtic) Jay Regan (Shannon Olympic) Lunga Balman (Lifford) David McCarthy (Avenue Utd) Gary Collins (Newmarket Celtic) Ryan Boyle (Lifford)