Category: Sport

AN identical start to the season for Clare in all but two key aspects, the performance and of course the result. Almost a year ago to the day, Micheál McDermott’s competitive debut as Clare senior football manager was against UCC in Cooraclare but they found it tough against the college side who would go on to contest the final of the McGrath Cup against Kerry.

On Sunday, McDermott had the perfect opportunity to right the wrong of last year and despite a lack of football due to the collective ban on inter-county teams, it was Clare’s hunger that eventually won the day for the home side.

“I’m relieved more than happy today.” Admitted McDermott immediately afterwards. “It’s the first game of the season for ourselves and it was very evident that we were very rusty in the first half and gave away a lot of possession and gave away a lot of possession even in the second half.

“We looked leg weary as well at times because of the gym programme for two months that probably took it’s toll but I was glad we finished very, very strongly. In the last 15 minutes we showed good character to want to win the game and there was some very good football played at times, very good scores kicked and listen, today is about something to work on and hopefully we will be better the next day. We were missing a lot of players there today that even cried off at the last minute. But it’s a strong panel and this competition is going to be an opportunity to have a look at everybody on the panel.”

Players like Alan Clohessy, who was the outstanding forward on show, did themselves no harm and McDermott also saved special mention for his newer recruits.

“Alan Clohessy was in good form today. He was showing well for the ball and he was winning the dirty ball as well and it must be said, there was some quality ball put into him as well. It’s something that we are going to be working on over the next numbers of weeks because we had done very little football on the field so it’s good to get a win and another competitive match next weekend.

“It’s also a big step up for the likes of David O’Brien making his debut and Conor Ryan but listen, these are young players as well and it’s going to take them time to blend in but I was happy with their contribution there today. They tried hard and all we ask for from a player going out onto the field is to give us one hundred per cent honesty and we got that from every player today.”

The reward for Sunday’s victory is a home quarter-final meeting with another Cork college and for McDer mott and Co. it’s a further opportunity to test his squad.

“Cork IT will be a tough side. I think UCC beat them last year in the second round but Cork IT are littered with inter-county stars as well and with the Sigerson getting ever so close, it’s going to be a real tough battle but these are the games that are going to help us pick our best 15 for the first round of the National League. It’s going to be a competitive game and we are going to have it at home as well and it’s good to have another game to look forward to next Sunday.”

A SIXMILEBRIDGE proposal to put in place an individual or body with the responsibility of monitoring the welfare of players participating on county panels was the only motion to be passed unscathed at Thursday’s Bord na nÓg Iomaint Convention.

In order to counteract potential player burnout and nourish young talent, Sixmilebridge delegate Adrian Hogan outlined to delegates the need to set up such a committee and deal with players on a more personal basis.

“What we are looking to do is put more focus on the individual players and their individual welfare, and mind that player essentially on the county panel because everybody is trying to draw from the same player. Take the minors that went to Croke Park last year, you are going to have colleges, secondary schools and even the clubs themselves can be accused themselves at times of being selfish in wanting to play their own players. It should be looked at that there should be an officer or at least a role or responsibility somewhere there that the players themselves can liase with that person.

“It’s not necessarily something that needs to be elected tonight but at least that it would be considered in the future. Even if it was considered as part of the panel of selectors in the management team but there needs to be a liason officer between county, club, college and wherever the draw is on these players. Some of the players are dual playing and even play other sports outside of our code so it’s really to try and get an understanding and take care of that individual play- er so he’s not overworked.”

A Ruan motion to establish a ‘Games administration committee that will run all hurling competitions organised by Bord na nÓg Iomaint’ or essentially back-up for the county secretary in organising fixtures was deferred to the first meeting of the year where delegates can nominate people to help out.

A similar motion from Ruan to establish a Hurling Development committee was eventually withdrawn as it was felt that the development Squad Committee already catered for that role. However, outgoing chairman Sean O’Halloran, who set up that committee under his watch, welcomed the addition of more people who are interested in getting involved with the numerous development squads at Under 12,13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 levels.

“The people that have been involved over the past 14 or 15 months have given a commitment to stay for another 12 months and oversee the development and they are happy to do that but having said that, there is always room for additional people who have the same type of vision that they have for underage hurling. I have no doubt that if there are a people interested in coming on board, that would be more than acceptable once they have the same vision and a clear knowledge of where we are going and where we want to be in four or five years time in relation to underage hurling.”

Meanwhile, Kilmaley’s proposal for the Under 15 championship to be completes by the end of August was deferred to the structures committee meeting as it was felt that pasing the motion would tie the hands of the

board somewhat and limit flexabil

ity.

IT was a night of change at the reconvened Bord na nÓg Iomaint convention in The Aubrun Lodge Hotel on Thursday as Clarecastle’s Martin Reynolds took over at the helm from Sean O’Halloran who had served for 12 consecutive years on the board.

“It’s a tremendous honour for me personally to be elected to this position.” admitted the new chairman in his acceptance speech.

“As most of you probably know I have been involved with Clarecastle for a number of years at all levels. I’m glad it was an unanimous decision because when a new man comes into this position, obviously he needs the support of all the clubs and I’ll be looking forward to everybody’s sup- port during the year.

“I’d also like to pay tribute to Sean [O’Halloran], Rosaleen [Monahan] and Gerry [Lynch] who have been tremendous officers for the last number of years. In my capacity in Clarecastle, I have dealt with Rosaleen and Sean while not so much with Gerry and I have found them to be a lady and gentleman of the highest order. Their contribution to Clare GAA shouldn’t go unnoticed.

“So finally I would just like to say I look forward to working with all the clubs, getting to know all the people in the clubs over the next couple of months and hopefully we’ll have a successful year at underage.”

However, the new administration may have to wait until the first meeting of the year to begin in earnest after a dearth of nominees willing to take up other positions on the executive.

As a result of the five year rule, chairman Sean O’Halloran (Bodyke), secretary Rosaleen Monahan (Tubber) and treasurer Gerry Lynch (Tulla) had to vacate their positions but as the election of officers unfolded, replacements weren’t forthcoming.

Nominees for Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer all withdrew for varying reasons, with only Tom Sheehan (Sixmilebridge) retaining his position as PRO while Clooney/Quin’s John Culligan took up the assistant secretary role. Outgoing chairman Sean O’Halloran was asked by the meeting to consider the vice-chairmanship for the com- ing year so as to maintain continuity and aid the incoming board but the Bodyke delegate indicated his preference to continue his role with the Development Squads Committee and other underage work.

It prompted the new chairman to make a final hearty appeal to the delegates to go back to their clubs and locate new nominees for the positions by the first meeting of the year.

“There are people within every club that are doing these jobs and there are others who are well capable of doing these jobs so I’d be hoping to hear from a lot of people over the next week or two. We have to have officers to run things and we have to get it up and running as soon as possible because we are a little bit behind schedule. So anyone who has