Banner U-21 bosses must be promoted
In light of many off-field developments in Clare hurling over the last few years, I’d like to modify that a little – ask not what your county can do for you, ask what you can do for your county. I’m thinking of two people in particular here, I’m thinking of John Minogue and Cyril Lyons, manager and coach respectively of the Clare U21 hurling team that overcame Galway in Thurles on Saturday, and reached the county’s first All-Ireland final at this grade. The last management team to bring Clare to an All-Ireland final was in 2002, the senior final, when Clare lost to Kilkenny – the manager that day was Cyril Lyons, and one of his selectors was John Minogue. Following that achievement those two men were treated very shabbily by the powers-that-be in Clare. John was pushed out at the end of 2002, followed by Cyril at the end of 2003.
Most other people would then have washed their hands of the whole scene, taken up golf or whatever. Neither John nor Cyril did that; instead they continued to do what they had always done, stayed involved at club level, and a couple of years ago got involved again with Clare, albeit at a younger level.
Now, with a team that had not enjoyed any success at minor level, they have won Clare’s first Munster U21 title, and on Saturday last, inspired Clare to a fantastic win over Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final. I would say now, very strongly; it’s time for the Clare club delegates to take those two guys and appoint them to the senior management position. It’s time for a new management team, and those two should be appointed without delay.
Don’t even wait for the U21 final, put them in now, and give them three years to get things back on track. It is time to stop all the inside power-struggles in Clare, time to stop the pussyfooting, time to look at the big picture and get Clare hurling back to the top table.
To the game. As far as I’m concerned, this was the best hurling match we have seen this year, at any level.
The begrudgers will point to the final scoreline, all the goals conceded, the points – don’t listen to them. This was hurling at its very best.
Clare were coming off a huge high, their first Munster title at this grade, won in fantastic fashion down in Dungarvan a few weeks ago against Waterford. Following that win I was a little concerned and wondered if Clare would be able to come back down from that high in time? I need not have worried. With John and Cyril at the helm, they were back in the groove; their spirit was right, their hurling was right and they were properly tuned in. They played with great fluency, no sign of nerves, and here, a word of praise to both teams – the sportsmanship was absolutely of the highest order.
Even though they got the first point, from Seán Collins, Clare didn’t have the best start but, with some astute switches by the management, they came back into it. Cian Dillon, who had been struggling with injury, was introduced as substitute full-back after 20 minutes, and played well. At half-time, Conor McGrath came on at corner-forward, finished with 1-1, and probably the most impressive sub of all was Conor Tierney who scored two fine points and made a goal.
A highlight for me was the performance of wing-back Domhnall O’Donovan – this lad cleared a huge amount of ball, especially in the second half, when Clare were under a lot of pressure. Domhnall’s twin, Cormac, also impressed, worked really hard when switched to midfield. John Conlan caught the eye, as did Colin Ryan, but I have to come, eventually, to the guy I talked about after the Munster final. I said then that the best full-forward I ever saw was Ray Cummins but that Darach Honan reminded me of him – he reinforced that impression on Saturday. Switched to the edge of the square at half-time, he was brilliant, and there’s no way Clare would have won this without him. Finally, as regards Clare, a special word to the Clonlara club, who had five of the starting 15, all of whom played well (Honan, the O’Donovan twins, Conlan and Nicky O’Connell) – well done to all concerned for the brilliant work done there.
To Galway, and immediately, I have to mention Joe Canning. What leadership this guy showed on Saturday! 4-7 is a huge score, but it was the manner of those scores, the timing of them – he did everything he could to try and drag Galway across the line. In support he had Aodan Harte, David Burke, Brian Regan, but above all, goalkeeper James Skehill – absolutely brilliant.
To wrap up, well done to two brilliant teams, who gave us such a fantastic treat, and well done also to referee Cathal McAllister, who did his part in keeping the game flowing.
There wasn’t a huge crowd in Thurles, but rest assured, there will be now, for the final against Kilkenny.
