Maher in fitness battle for Sigerson

UL are sweating on the fitness of Kerry midfielder Anthony Maher for the Sigerson Cup after he was forced off in the first quarter of this McGrath Cup tie at Doonbeg yesterday.

The Duagh clubman, midfield for the Kingdom in last year’s All-Ireland final defeat to Dublin, damaged his shoulder joint in a clash after 15 minutes.

UL boss, and former Kerry goalkeeping star, Declan O’Keeffe is fearful his star man is facing three or four weeks on the sidelines which could rule him out of the first-round match against University of Ulster, Jordanstown on Tuesday, January 31st or Wednesday, February 1st.

He could also be battling to be fit for his county’s Allianz Football League opener against Dublin on February 4th

“It was a late shoulder, he was just after letting off the ball, but there was nothing malicious in it. He would be a massive loss for us. The physios don’t think it is too serious but he could be facing three or four weeks out which could be cutting it tight for the Sigerson or the start of the League. We will know a little more on Monday when we have it assessed again.”

O’Keeffe’s side trailed 0-10 to 0-4 at the break where good underfoot conditions and little or no wind dictated that direct football was served up to a small but enthusiastic crowd.

The hosts opened the scoring with a well taken point by full-forward Gary Brennan inside two minutes, setting up a pattern for the remainder of the tie. Midfielders, David Russell and Ger Quinlan dominated, allowing forwards like Rory Donnelly, Brennan and captain David Tubridy to pick of some good scores as the half progressed.

In the second period UL did hit a purple patch of sorts kicking three points in as many minutes early in the half. An Edmund Walsh goal on 57 reduced the deficit to four but a motivated Clare forged ahead for a well deserved victory.

Scorers for Clare: D Tubridy (0-7, 4fs, 1 ‘45), G Brennan (0-4), R Donnelly (0-3), G Quinlan (0-3), P Collins (0-1).

Scorers for UL: C Dempsey (0-4) 2 f’s, E Walsh (1-0), M Cahalane, J O’Donoghue, M Geaney, F Fitzgerald (0-1) each.

CLARE: P O’Dwyer; K Hartnett, S McNeilis, M McMahon; E Troy, Gordon Kelly, Graham Kelly; D Russell, G Quinlan; D Daly, R Donnelly, S Brennan; P Collins, G Brennan, D Tubridy.

Subs: D Blake for Graham Kelly (32), M Foran for Collins (56), S O’Driscoll for Troy (56), S Haugh for Hartnett (64), D Murphy for Tubridy inj. (69).

UL: J Lyster (Kildare) (c); M Culloty (Kerry), D O’Sullivan (Cork), P O’Connor (Kerry); F Fitzgerald (Kerry), M Geaney (Kerry), J Lyne (Kerry); A Maher (Kerry), A Rockett (Tipperary); K Hurley (Cork), D Niblock (Cork), M Cahalane (Cork); J O’Donoghue (Kerry), C Dempsey (Mayo), J O’Rourke (Cork).

Subs: T Ladden (Kerry) for Maher inj. (15), J O’Brien (Leitrim) for Rockett (ht), E Walsh (Kerry) for O’Rourke (46).

Referee: B Tyrell (Tipperary).