Clare’s league record will not improve due to timing: Daly

Clare’s abysmal record in the National Hurling League is not about to change any time soon, according to new manager Anthony Daly.

With the start of the 2004 NHL less than three weeks away, Daly admits that his should be one of the teams chasing the title harder than most, but he reckons that they are not destined for league glory.

“The league final is scheduled for May 9 and our first-round Munster championship game is against Waterford a week later, May 16.

“Where’s the value to Clare of being in the final? It’s fine for the likes of Brian Cody who can go away then and give the team a break for a week, bring them back and still have three weeks to get ready for the Leinster championship, but what’s the advantage to Justin McCarthy (Waterford manager) or myself?

“Win the League and you’re a great fella, lose the Munster championship a week later and that buzz wouldn’t be long disappearing.

“Munster is tough enough as it is, peak three times to win it, without that complication. What’s frustrating is that if you win Munster, you have a five-week break, win the All-Ireland semi-final and it’s another month; that’s nonsense.

“There isn’t enough happening when it should be happening, in July, August. Someone has to look at the whole structure of it.”

Daly, therefore, will be using the League to experiment, especially up front. Tony Carmody, one of the finds of recent years, announced his withdrawal from the panel, which leaves the manager with the problem of finding a big target-man.

“Tony pulling out was a big blow to us. We’re disappointed and we’re not closing the door on him, but he can’t give it 100% at the moment.

“We threw Frank Lohan up centre-forward against UL in a

challenge and he scored a few points from play, got a couple of goals when we moved him in full, but you’d need to see him in a proper match before you know how effective he can be.

“The only consolation is that Alan Markham, who had been talking about going to Australia, has committed himself for another year and he’s in good shape.

“The Fordes are back and Jamesie is looking hungry, another plus.”