This article is from page 93 of the 2008-02-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 93 JPG
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to judge this Clare team on Sunday’s perform- ance. Simply because of the early sending off of Clare’s David Barrett, the game was tainted as a real con- test and only came to life when Tony Og Regan was dismissed early in the second half to even up the numbers. Still, by that stage, Clare were al- ready 13 points in arrears so while the points were never in question, it was only a matter of how Clare would respond against the odds.
It was a pity really as the game promised to be a real test of both side’s progress to date and the fact that it was not a dirty game makes the three dismissals something of a joke. Unfortunately for the Banner, this was a missed opportunity that could have been beneficial going forward but with Laois next on the list, Clare might have to wait until the Limerick game in the Gaelic Grounds to truly evaluate their development.
That’s in no way designed to dis- miss Laois who have been an emerg- ing side over the past few years. However, if Clare are to be taken seriously this year, they will have to put up a big score against the strug-
gling midlanders.
Laois manager Damien Fox has transformed their fortunes since tak- ing over last year. They completed their initial aim by winning Division 2 last year but despite some good performances, they went out in a dif- ficult qualifier group. Only six points separated Clare and Laois in Portlao- ise last year in the qualifiers but you also have to consider that Clare had WM ACCP eK emant-lam cw eetvu ues! by the weather.
Nevertheless, since then Damien Fox’s good work is unravelling all around him with the news that three dual players are opting for football over hurling this year. Cahir Healy, one of last year’s biggest perform- ers along with John O’Loughlin and Darren Rooney are gone but there is still plenty of talented youth emerg- ing in the county. LIT’s Willie Hy- land and UL’s Matthew Whelan should be well known to Clare due to their Waterford Crystal and Fitz- gibbon involvement while forward James Young is always amongst the top scorers of the championship each year.
Clare need to iron out a few prob- lems of their own first and despite the numerical disadvantage, Mike McNamara would have gained some added knowledge on his player’s ability to respond under pressure. In that regard, the full back line leaked
plenty on Sunday and were unable to deal with Galway’s full forward line which scored 1-10 from play. They also leaked another goal with a first half penalty. Changes were eventual- ly made and they looked more secure in the latter stages but they can’t af- ford to give the Laois forwards sim1- lar freedom on Sunday.
Further injuries to Brendan Bugler and Conor McMahon didn’t help matters while David Barrett will be suspended this weekend. With an- other six possible starters (Gerry O’Grady, Alan Markham, Diarmuid McMahon, Derek Quinn, Tony Grif- fin and Bernard Gaffney) still miss- ing for various reasons, it will be a test of the squad’s depth for the Laois game.
Nothing less than a victory will do however as Clare need to get their league campaign underway in a posi- tive fashion. Expect Laois to throw everything at Clare for the first twenty minutes but if the Banner can get on top early, they should look to repeat Limerick’s dismantling of the midlands side last Sunday.
That is if the referee allows fifteen players to remain on the field.