Clare GAA discussion thread

windy shepard henderson

klairondavis wrote: »

Some laugh at the end with the whole Clare panel huddled around the dugout all looking frantically at the one mobile phone screen!

i was gone at that stage , i taught it would have been a little more advanced then that , the longford game swung it for us ,i didnt know that i taught they knew what was going on at the time :pac:

Akrasia

I'm a bit worried for the Hurling championship after yesterdays game.

Clare did well to hold on at the end, but we didn't win that game, Tipp threw it away with 17 wides.

One huge concern was that we still can't win our own puck out. Maybe in a championship tempo the players will work harder to move into space for the restart, but today Pa Kelly seemed to be lobbing the balls aimlessly up the pitch



We looked a lot smaller than Tipp today, but we weren't that much faster. If you're smaller, you need to make up for it with speed and fitness.

I also thought that the referee was very inconsistent and favoured the visiting team.

Evil_Clown

League Semi Final is set for 4pm in Thurles

SUNDAY 17 APRIL
Allianz HL Division 1 semi-finals
1400 Waterford v Limerick, Semple Stadium
1600 Kilkenny v Clare, Semple Stadium

windy shepard henderson

Akrasia wrote: »

I'm a bit worried for the Hurling championship after yesterdays game.

Clare did well to hold on at the end, but we didn't win that game, Tipp threw it away with 17 wides.

One huge concern was that we still can't win our own puck out. Maybe in a championship tempo the players will work harder to move into space for the restart, but today Pa Kelly seemed to be lobbing the balls aimlessly up the pitch



We looked a lot smaller than Tipp today, but we weren't that much faster. If you're smaller, you need to make up for it with speed and fitness.

I also thought that the referee was very inconsistent and favoured the visiting team.

the puck out issue has improved slightly , but i am not sure if pa kelly is helping things at times with his decision making , we are a small team that is something that we will have to work around , but given the players that were out , that was a great win to be fair , tipp missed some incredible wides , wides they will not hit come championship , i would be more worried if we were playing in championship mode in early april ( like the 2014 campaign)

a key problem i felt in the last few years was we were too over reliant on two or three players, with so many players out yesterday and the limerick game showed we can grind out win's out while under strength

to me that is the next level , the level tipp and kilkenny are operating all the time , if kilkenny were without ritchie hogan or tj reid they wouldn't use that as an excuse so why should we? the squad has come on a long way i wouldnt see too much cause for concern at the moment, yes there is still plenty to work on but 2016 is a vast improvement so far no doubt

BannerBarry

Some of the 2013 momentum is back in the team.
PaddyPower has the odds of 1/3 for the Kilkenny win, a little ungracious considering the Davy Fitz effect!

Clareman

BannerBarry wrote: »

Some of the 2013 momentum is back in the team.
PaddyPower has the odds of 1/3 for the Kilkenny win, a little ungracious considering the Davy Fitz effect!

Are you kidding me? They're great odds. Team with back to back All Ireland's, unbeaten since Feb 14th, top of division 2 and scored 6-20 in the last game up against a division 2 team who won their last game by a point.

windy shepard henderson

minors well beaten in the end last night 2-11 to 1-09 , not too sure what the future holds for there chances in the play off's after the exams in june , i know there is a band of opposition against management selection process not sure if it would have made too much in the end result last night anyway

Hibrasil

Eddie Keher thinks current Cats panel only scratching the surface ????

Clareman

I'm getting annoyed with former managers trying to say that stuff is being done wrong, if they were so prefect at coaching/management they'd still be winning all Irelands, they are just selling newspapers.

In regards to Sunday, I fear that we'll let in a lot of goals, or tactic seems to be to concede a free between the 45-65 or closer to goal to stop the play developing to a goal change, the KK players are so strong our backs mightn't be able to foul them, I also really fear for our ability to win any primary possession from a puck out, it'll be a long day of short puck outs I think.

letowski

I dont know will kk have a big forward line on Sunday. Id say Colin Fennelly and Eoin Larkin arent in line to start this one while Michael Fennelly isnt probably likely to be left on for 70mins. TJ, Hogan, Farrell, Power, Kelly arent hugely physical players. I dont think its due to our physicality that we lose frees anyway, the likes of Dillon, David Mc, Cleary, Bugler, Ryan, etc are strong lads, its really due to poor technical ability that hasnt been coached right for the 4yrs under Davy. I think the free count is mad, as we play with a sweeper, one would think that having an extra man behind you means you dont have to foul him.

Its hard to know how we will do on Sunday, you would expect KK to be more clinical with their chances and may win around 6 points. But to be fair the last 4 games between us have all finished within a point or two, and they have been of decent quality matches for spring. Our boys wouldnt fear KK too much, as alot of them have beaten them underage. I hope Davy gives a good few lads off the bench a chance, its the type of game we want before Munster.

Clareman

letowski wrote: »

I dont know will kk have a big forward line on Sunday. Id say Colin Fennelly and Eoin Larkin arent in line to start this one while Michael Fennelly isnt probably likely to be left on for 70mins. TJ, Hogan, Farrell, Power, Kelly arent hugely physical players. I dont think its due to our physicality that we lose frees anyway, the likes of Dillon, David Mc, Cleary, Bugler, Ryan, etc are strong lads, its really due to poor technical ability that hasnt been coached right for the 4yrs under Davy. I think the free count is mad, as we play with a sweeper, one would think that having an extra man behind you means you dont have to foul him.

I honestly do think it's a tactic now to concede a free eather than risk a goal opportunity, also, if an attacker gets a run on a back chances are there's going to be a card if the second defender has to foul.

letowski wrote: »

Its hard to know how we will do on Sunday, you would expect KK to be more clinical with their chances and may win around 6 points. But to be fair the last 4 games between us have all finished within a point or two, and they have been of decent quality matches for spring. Our boys wouldnt fear KK too much, as alot of them have beaten them underage. I hope Davy gives a good few lads off the bench a chance, its the type of game we want before Munster.

Last year KK were missing a lot of their team and we were going full for it, I wouldn't read much into it. I would love for us to win but I would settle for us to lose by the handicap (3 points), worst thing that could happen to us is we concede a bucket load of goals and Davy panics and brings in plan number 1,914 where we play with 5 sweepers with SoD as a lone wolf in the opposition half.

BannerBarry

Tony Kelly to feature against the Cats per RTE... anyone know how he has been training? Last 15 minutes impact sub would be the most likely route. The team would rise to his introduction.

Realt Dearg Sec

Any sign of ye announcing a team?

mountgomery burns

Clare won't get a better chance to beat Kilkenny this summer I don't think. If they are championship contenders think they need to win tomorrow.

Clareman

mountgomery burns wrote: »

Clare won't get a better chance to beat Kilkenny this summer I don't think. If they are championship contenders think they need to win tomorrow.

Tomorrow has absolutely nothing to do with the Championship, if they are to be contenders they have to win their championship matches.

Clareman

BannerBarry wrote: »

Tony Kelly to feature against the Cats per RTE... anyone know how he has been training? Last 15 minutes impact sub would be the most likely route. The team would rise to his introduction.

If needed he could have played the last day, I'd be a fan of him starting tomorrow and taking him back after 50 minutes, might as well find out where he is in his prep rather than giving the team a lift, tomorrow is about getting ready for the Championship rather than winning the league, if they win that's a great bonus.

Clareman

David Tubridy is back for the footballers tomorrow thanks to getting his red card overturned from the last day, it'll be a great opportunity to play in Croke Park next week.

letowski

Realt Dearg Sec wrote:

Any sign of ye announcing a team?

Probably late tonight, I think Conor Ryan is having a fitness test. Its a pity both teams have several injuries, hopefully it will be a good game anyway.

mountgomery burns

Clareman wrote: »

Tomorrow has absolutely nothing to do with the Championship, if they are to be contenders they have to win their championship matches.

Just don't see Kilkenny being down as many in the summer but maybe they will. If ever there was one team you need to be confident about your chances to have chance its Kilkenny. And losing to them tomorrow isn't going to aid that in the Championship.

Think ye will win tomorrow though.

windy shepard henderson

clare not full strength by any means tomorrow either , great to see podge back ,doubt he will see the full 70 but he needs game time to get up to speed , was a long way off the pace for the footballers in the last few weeks , there looks to be a more direct approach to the side with a more physical side on show , still think we have a descent chance of wining this one but we could do without any more injuries before the championship

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windy shepard henderson

according to reports conor mcgrath will be on free taking duty tomorrow which shows the level of injuries at our disposal

letowski

Like the David Fitzgearld and Podge inclusions, big one for young Fitzgearld making his first start at 19 v Kilkenny. But I bet he will be fine, he is a great prospect. I think Podge starts with a similar role to Tony Kellys last year, where Tonys movement gave Joyce alot of problems, Podge has that type of game too.

O'Brien back in would suggest he might be following Richie Hogan around for the afternoon, if he does well tomorrow he could be in line for a start in June.

If we stay in the game til the last 15mins we could have a good chance as we have some good subs up front like Kelly, Ryan, Duggan, and Tots. We need to get some sort of better hold of possession, Id say Tipp had about 70pc 2 weeks ago which will not do tommorrow. McGrath needs to do well on frees, thats a risk not starting Ryan.

windy shepard henderson

letowski wrote: »

Like the David Fitzgearld and Podge inclusions, big one for young Fitzgearld making his first start at 19 v Kilkenny. But I bet he will be fine, he is a great prospect. I think Podge starts with a similar role to Tony Kellys last year, where Tonys movement gave Joyce alot of problems, Podge has that type of game too.

O'Brien back in would suggest he might be following Richie Hogan around for the afternoon, if he does well tomorrow he could be in line for a start in June.

If we stay in the game til the last 15mins we could have a good chance as we have some good subs up front like Kelly, Ryan, Duggan, and Tots. We need to get some sort of better hold of possession, Id say Tipp had about 70pc 2 weeks ago which will not do tommorrow. McGrath needs to do well on frees, thats a risk not starting Ryan.

on league form so far o'brien and fitzgerld deserve there starts , going to be very interested how mobile podge is , he looked off the pace in the football , neither kilkenny or our selves are anywhere near full strength and both look to have similar objectives ,

i have little fear for connor on frees but big call none the less

Clareman

Trying to figure out the first goalscorer in this 1, I thought Clare would be a couple of points over KK but the bookies have Conlon at 8/1 to get the first goal, he was 9's against Limerick. I think Cunningham is the option here at 11/1

letowski

windy shepard henderson wrote:

on league form so far o'brien and fitzgerld deserve there starts , going to be very interested how mobile podge is , he looked off the pace in the football , neither kilkenny or our selves are anywhere near full strength and both look to have similar objectives ,

What I like about O'Brien is that he looks like a sticky, disciplined back, the type of player thats really been in short supply in our county. In the last few years weve had Donal, Seadna and Davy Mc play corner back, and while their pacy skillful hurlers, their not proper tight markers. Like Cody, I think would never see these type players as cornerbacks on his team. It will be interesting to see what assignment O'Brien gets tomorrow, and how he gets on as were stuck for a solid man marker.

windy shepard henderson

letowski wrote: »

What I like about O'Brien is that he looks like a sticky, disciplined back, the type of player thats really been in short supply in our county. In the last few years weve had Donal, Seadna and Davy Mc play corner back, and while their pacy skillful hurlers, their not proper tight markers. Like Cody, I think would never see these type players as cornerbacks on his team. It will be interesting to see what assignment O'Brien gets tomorrow, and how he gets on as were stuck for a solid man marker.

stick him on ritchie and see how he gets on , he did a fine job keeping cian lynch quiet in the 1B decider, he looks a really good prospect , this will b a great test for some of the fringe lads , its where we should have been last year in terms of squad development

if we are to challenge kilkenny in any serious way come championship this year or next we need a big squad that we can rotate so we always have an impact sub or a like for like change , last year against cork was a disgrace in my opinion in how we were prepared , granted the squad is still very young but this is what the league is for in my opinion

windy shepard henderson

Clareman wrote: »

Trying to figure out the first goalscorer in this 1, I thought Clare would be a couple of points over KK but the bookies have Conlon at 8/1 to get the first goal, he was 9's against Limerick. I think Cunningham is the option here at 11/1

if conlon is starting in the full forward line i would nearly stick with him , but then again my betting tips on this over the years would nearly leave a person homeless at this stage !!! :rolleyes:

Clareman

windy shepard henderson wrote: »

if conlon is starting in the full forward line i would nearly stick with him , but then again my betting tips on this over the years would nearly leave a person homeless at this stage !!! :rolleyes:

I can't see Conlon outfielding and outmuscling any KK player to get a goal, I can see Cunningham getting in behind the defence and sticking it.

mountgomery burns

Will that team actually start?

letowski

mountgomery burns wrote:

Will that team actually start?

I think so yeah, O'Connor goes full back, Dillion sweeper, Bugs, Reidy, Cunningham go back a line and Podge and McGrath swap.