Stack’s iron fist drives Clonlara

As the Clonlara hurlers target a third ever county final on Sunday when they face Sixmilebridge, the O’Connell brothers pointed to the impact Sean Stack has made in his first year in charge of the South East Clare men.

“I’ve never been so afraid not to turn up to club training in my life. I got the punishment. I missed training the week before the Mills match and he dropped me for that match,” Cathal ‘Tots’ O’Connell told the Clare Champion this week.

Tots’ brother Nicky confirmed the clampdown: “Seán has brought that extra bit of discipline. It doesn’t matter who you are.

“If you’re not playing well enough or not working hard enough, he’s not going to play you. Simple as that.” Older brother, and goalkeeper, Ger hailed Stack’s back to basics approach:

“To be honest there’s no science with Seán. He just wants you to win your battle and win the hard ball. Puck-outs has never been one of my strengths.

“Anyone who knows me would probably say that as well. The boys would be telling me to follow through on the swing. I’d be a lot more confident in getting it up to the half forward line and letting the boys do the work.”

Nicky added: “Ger is always looking for lads in space. If he sees a wing back and there’s no one within 15 or 20 yards, he’ll give it to him, which is a good thing because it’s better playing your percentages than lumping the ball down the field and whoever wins it wins it.”

Ger also admitted the team had to readjust to the move of John Conlon to centre-back: “We struggled with that at the start of the year. It was a big move to take our main ball winner out of our half forward line. Even having Tots as a half forward, he’s no six foot giant and you don’t want to be crucifying him with a high ball either.

“I prefer to find space in front of Cathal if I can. It’s probably an area we have struggled in all year but we’re eventually getting better.”

Sunday will also be a family affair for opponents Sixmilebridge. Also speaking to the Clare Champion, Caimin Morey admitted reaching county finals is almost demanded for the Bridge.

“It’s a failure if we don’t. There is a small bit of pressure but it’s only pressure from within the group. We expect to be in the business end of the championship. When it doesn’t work out, like last year, you can get a bit of stick but this year, so far so good.

“You have to try and find the sweet spot between being too hyped up and too relaxed. It’s our third final in five years so we’ve seen it all before.” Brother Alex will play in the full-forward line on Sunday and chided his brother for some of the supply line he has been served with.

“Not when he’s trying to launch it or put it over the bar. Most of the ball they give in is good but it can be frustrating at times, especially out around the middle of the field with lads going for points.

“Fair enough, have a shot but there might be one too many. Any ball is fairly good as long as it’s in quick.”

Cusack Park is currently undergoing major construction work. The Sixmilebridge players say the pitch has improved in quality but the atmosphere at the ground has been affected.

Alex said: “I went up to watch the Mills v Cratloe and Newmarket v Tulla games.

“I thought it was desperate weird. But you go on to the field and it’s nearly the same. It’s weird alright, seeing nothing there. There is a load more light and wind where the stand used to be.”