Gerry McInerney: Tactical and team mistakes cost Clare in last two All-Ireland semi defeats to Kilkenny

IMPORTANT DECISIONS: Clare manager Brian Lohan has big calls to make ahead of the semi-final against Kilkenny. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Clare must learn from the defensive switches that backfired on them in their last two All-Ireland semi-final defeats to Kilkenny, says former star Gerry McInerney.

Both alterations involved Sixmilebridge clubmen of his – Páidí Fitzpatrick and Seadna Morey – and both were replaced at half-time, Fitzpatrick never to play again for The Banner.

Fitzpatrick was a late replacement for injured John Conlon in the 2022 game, while last year in a tactical rejig Morey was utilised as a sweeper in an 11th hour change for Ian Galvin.

Providing all are fit, McInerney expects Clare to stick with convention and line out with the same sextet of backs as they did in the All-Ireland quarter-final win over Wexford.

“They were two big calls and it didn’t work in either match. Clare were playing the sweeper system from the start in last year’s game and then all of a sudden changed it.

"They felt they had to change things up but it just didn’t happen. They were big decisions in important games and they didn’t go Clare’s way.

“I’d say that will be very much on the minds of the management because mistakes in tactics and team selections the last two years have cost them. Get them right this time and I think they will be more than a match for Kilkenny.

“Defensively, they’ll play with the same six, I would imagine. Conor Leen has really blossomed in the role, he had been earmarked for a few years to make the senior team and it’s great to see him fulfil that potential.

“Their leaking of goals will be a concern. They conceded three in the first game against Limerick, three against Cork, two against Waterford. They can be very costly and there’s no better team to go for the jugular if they smell blood than Kilkenny.

“If Clare can minimise the goals, they have a great chance because they always seem to be run up a good score. Some of the goals are out-and-out defensive mistakes and if they tidy up them errors, they will be in with a great shout.”

McInerney doesn’t foresee Brian Lohan making any alterations to the attack that began the impressive win over Wexford either.

“I would say Galvin will be used as a substitution again because if you look at the games he’s started, he’s come off and when he’s come off the bench, he impresses. I’d say they will probably go with him as the impact sub and may very well start (Aron) Shanagher.”

With his injury woes behind him, McInerney is delighted to see Tony Kelly operating in midfield where he can make the most impact.

“He was out of action for a good while and you can train away all you like but you need games in the legs.

“People were critical of him being brought on against Limerick in Cusack Park when Clare were eight or nine points up but for the bigger picture Clare needed to get game-time in him, so I wouldn’t fault that or believe that Clare thought they had the game won.

"I think it suits Tony out the field where he has that bit of freedom and he can shoot points for you all day long.”

McInerney wonders if Kilkenny are battle-hardened for this game.

“The Leinster championship didn’t pan out to be one of the better ones. Three of the last four teams are from Munster. They didn’t get a good test from Dublin in the final so at what pace will they start on Saturday? Clare should have that advantage at the off.”

He wouldn’t oversell it but the Division 1 final win over Kilkenny in April will help too.

“I think it was important for Clare to win something confidence-wise when they had been knocking on the door and nothing was happening.

“The league wouldn’t have the same status as it did years ago and I think Lohan said afterwards it was the third competition so they were aware where it stood but they needed to win a title and it would have done them the power of good.”