‘Off the cuff approach’ may be key for Clare v Cork
The former Clare hurler believes Davy Fitzgerald’s charges were too “rigid” when falling to Limerick in the Munster quarter-final and says the team would be best served by an orthodox set-up at Thurles this weekend.
David Reidy and Shane O’Donnell operated a two-man full-forward line in the defeat to Limerick, the pair managing a meagre 0-2 between them over the 70 minutes.
A more traditional approach was adopted in last Saturday’s qualifier win over Offaly — Conor McGrath played just off Darach Honan and Shane O’Donnell inside, and Lohan reckons Clare can maximise their forward potential by stationing O’Donnell, McGrath and Honan inside the Cork 20-metre line.
“Each supporter will have a different opinion on what works, but, certainly, getting each player to play more off the cuff and not as rigid or structured as was the case against Limerick is key because that approach didn’t work,” said Lohan.
“You look at Kilkenny in the Leinster final and they had an extra man in defence. Clare, I imagine, will be looking at a sweeper to negate Cork’s three biggest forwards — Conor Lehane, Patrick Horgan and the returning Seamus Harnedy.
“On the other side of that, a lot of people would like to see Conor McGrath, Darach Honan and Shane O’Donnell inside in the full-forward line. A lot of full-back lines wouldn’t fancy facing that trio.
“With the likes of Aaron [Cunningham] to come in, you have to maximise your forward potential. I would like to see three inside and they getting a right shot at testing Cork’s back three. I am not 100% sure that will happen, however.” Lohan is adamant the defeat to Limerick was “over-hyped” and believes the championship could open up for Fitzgerald’s side if Cork are overcome this weekend.
With Conor McGrath and Brendan Bugler returning to the fold against Offaly, their starting team is likely to be further strengthened by the inclusion of Pat Donnellan and Colm Galvin.
“There is a feeling in the county that if Clare could beat Cork the championship would open up for them.
“I think if you have all your best players back playing, that is a really good starting point and you work from there.
“A lot of the frustration that was there after the Limerick game was down to the fact we have such a talented squad and they are not currently reaching their potential.
“Davy and the team would set their standards pretty high. I don’t think they would be happy with the way things are going in terms of 2014 and 2015. I don’t necessarily think it is the people looking in that will bother Davy or his players, it is they themselves who won’t have been happy with how things have gone since that great day in September of 2013.” Confidence in the camp was rebooted as a result of their 20-point mauling of Offaly, their first championship win since the All-Ireland final of 2013, but Lohan stresses they still have a way to go to rekindle the form of two summers ago.
“I wouldn’t overstate the importance of Saturday’s win. We are now into July and it is now when you need to get into a run. Clare had a very poor 2014. League this spring was reasonable at best and then they lost to Limerick.
“Both teams are looking to start an upward graph once again. Neither will want to exit the championship on July 11.”
