This article is from page 101 of the 2008-01-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 101 JPG
LAST YEAR, Clare travelled to Dr Cullen Park in the league opener, played well. When Carlow moved through the gears in the second-half, Clare responded and came home e100 MAA n OE
It was Clare’s highlight of the year
and already, even without the league beginning, they’ve eclipsed last year’s achievements.
On Sunday, Carlow come to Ennis in the reverse fixture and Clare will expect a similar performance and re- sult to that of 2007. Crucially, they will also expect and should continue their winning habit throughout the
league.
Despite Carlow’s draw with Dublin in the O’Byrne Cup and despite Paul Bealin’s introduction and a fresh at- titude in ther panel, Clare won’t have any serious reservations about the Carlow challenge. Dublin took them down at the weekend in the O’ Byrne Cup replay with a weak side and had
eight points to spare in the process.
The starting 15 against Carlow will hold the most interest from a Clare perspective. The back four should remain the same from the McGrath Cup final and Niall Considine — who wasn’t available for selection on Sun- day — should come in at wing-back, possibly at the expense of Jimmy yeah
Gordon Kelly has done enough at centre-back to keep the jersey. He’s been one of the county’s most con- sistent players over the past two years and he provides the spine Frank Do- herty needs.
During the McGrath Cup campaign, Clare have tried to coax a handful of players back onto the panel. So far, they haven’t budged but a slice of success in January will provide more bargaining power.
Garry Brennan will push for se- lection on Sunday, but the feeling is that Clare will stay with the midfield of Darragh Kelly and Frank O’Dea — though O’Dea picked up a knock to the back against Limerick.
Clare need Brennan and one other player pushing for a second midfield spot while Brennan also provides an option closer to goal. David Russell, of course, would provide the pres- ence needed in the middle but he was used effectively against Limerick — in his first start of the year — as, es- sentially, a third midfielder. Joe Hay- es could have used him more from his kickouts and whenever he did, particularly late on, Russell revelled. Though he’s been with the panel for less than a month, he already looks fit and sharp.
If Clare need some competition for
midfield places, then they also need two more forwards of inter-county standard. Michael O’Shea is an ob- vious starter on the 40 and Stephen Hickey has held his place throughout the McGrath Cup.
David ‘Tubridy has one corner locked up and Rory Donnelly might get the other. If not, Hickey could move to the corner, opening other options out the field.
The real decision comes at full-for- ward. Before Sunday, the feeling here is that Timmy Ryan was ahead in Clare’s pecking order but once more, Colm Dillon came on and made an immediate impact.
While both provide obvious pres- ence and height — thus increasing depth and penetration — they each bring different qualities to the table. Dillon is arguably better in the air and has a strong relationship with Tubridy. Ryan is the more rounded footballer but still lacks match sharp- ness. It’s a close call, but Ryan will Start.
Sean Collins, Keith Whelan, Fintan Conway, the Larkins and John Hayes will also have contributions to make and Doherty hasn’t been afraid to make fast personnel decisions during elses. 00a len
It’s a dog-eared cliché to state that Clare must win their home games, but a five from five start to the season is within Clare’s grasp.