Clare GAA discussion thread

Most people of said what I need to say too.

I think what is really painful about this defeat, is that when Cork raised their game after the Duggan goal and when the going got tough, our lads didn't deliver. It was 1-8 to 0-1 after the goal. I was watching the game back and I must say the first 15 minutes of the second half was nightmare stuff. Like Cork were always going to have their period of dominance, they are too good a team, but a good team too will always hang on and stick at it. Truth be told, when the pressure came on at the start of the second half, we crumbled. In the first 15 minutes of the second half Duggan (from a free), O'Donnell and Podge all missed from 25 yards out under no pressure whatsoever. For intercounty hurlers, thats completely inexcusable. In that timeframe also, Duggan missed a further 2 more frees and Cleary couldn't score from straight in front of the posts. It's just not good enough at this level, like there are under 16 games on this weekend and you'll see better attempts from those kids at shooting than some of our efforts. Jackie Tyrell was right, at the end of the day, Cork's leader's stood up and delivered while ours didn't. It's a bitter pill to swallow.

Admittedly, I've been toing and froing about this management team, calling them out on some tactics but also giving them some praise. Like there is no other way in saying this but Meyler schooled our management team yesterday. When Cahalane on Conlon wasn't working for them, fine, what's the plan B. When Spillane was struggling, fine, what's the plan C. They put a O'Donoghue/Joyce sitting right in front of Conlon and cut the possession into him. My point is Meyler had a plan, and more than that, he had contingency measures in case things go wrong. In the second half yesterday, I thought the management once again made a number of questionable calls. It's already been said by Clareman but making a substitution on the far side of the field during a Cork puckout is just plain stupidity at the highest order. But like, when we are chasing the game by a couple of points, why are we leaving SOD on for 55 minutes and then bringing on McGrath at wing forward, and also bringing on Corry before Ian Galvin?? When Conlon was cut off and Kelly out of the game we badly needed to get more scoring help up front, but our management were far too late in making the calls, particularly also not moving Colon out until 64 minutes. Like in the next round we probably have Davy's Wexford, the boys better have a couple of plans because everyone knows for a certain fact Davy will have a sweeper in front of Conlon to cut the supply aswell too. At the other end, nothing was done then to try and cut the ball into Horgan and Harnedy. He took too long to take off the ineffectual Cleary, the call should have been to put say someone like Shanahan to sit in front of the full back line kind of like what Cork did to us. I just have no proper trust in this management team to make the right calls when needed to.

I think finally, I posted after the Limerick match how I felt Malone and Cleary were doing effective jobs in their positions, but it looks like on yesterday's showing, that at the highest level, they're hurling when on the ball is brutally exposed. Like its was pretty much at the stage where every time they got the ball you were expecting them to give it away, and covering your eyes if they ever have to shoot. They're reading of the game is questionable, particularly Cleary who just doesn't have a presence in that half back line. But honestly, we don't have the replacements. McCarthy may start instead of Malone the next day but I'm unsure how much better he is if anything.

Overall this is very disappointing. It just always feels like two steps forward, one step back. Shout out to Jack Browne who had a fine corner back display once again.

Edit. Also, I don't want to sound like I'm taking anything away from a fine Cork team and their win. They were the better hurlers on the day and were full credit for they're win. I wish them the best because they have buckets of talent.

letowski wrote: »

Most people of said what I need to say too.

I think what is really painful about this defeat, is that when Cork raised their game after the Duggan goal and when the going got tough, our lads didn't deliver. It was 1-8 to 0-1 after the goal. I was watching the game back and I must say the first 15 minutes of the second half was nightmare stuff. Like Cork were always going to have their period of dominance, they are too good a team, but a good team too will always hang on and stick at it. Truth be told, when the pressure came on at the start of the second half, we crumbled. In the first 15 minutes of the second half Duggan (from a free), O'Donnell and Podge all missed from 25 yards out under no pressure whatsoever. For intercounty hurlers, thats completely inexcusable. In that timeframe also, Duggan missed a further 2 more frees and Cleary couldn't score from straight in front of the posts. It's just not good enough at this level, like there are under 16 games on this weekend and you'll see better attempts from those kids at shooting than some of our efforts. Jackie Tyrell was right, at the end of the day, Cork's leader's stood up and delivered while ours didn't. It's a bitter pill to swallow.

Admittedly, I've been toing and froing about this management team, calling them out on some tactics but also giving them some praise. Like there is no other way in saying this but Meyler schooled our management team yesterday. When Cahalane on Conlon wasn't working for them, fine, what's the plan B. When Spillane was struggling, fine, what's the plan C. They put a O'Donoghue/Joyce sitting right in front of Conlon and cut the possession into him. My point is Meyler had a plan, and more than that, he had contingency measures in case things go wrong. In the second half yesterday, I thought the management once again made a number of questionable calls. It's already been said by Clareman but making a substitution on the far side of the field during a Cork puckout is just plain stupidity at the highest order. But like, when we are chasing the game by a couple of points, why are we leaving SOD on for 55 minutes and then bringing on McGrath at wing forward, and also bringing on Corry before Ian Galvin?? When Conlon was cut off and Kelly out of the game we badly needed to get more scoring help up front, but our management were far too late in making the calls, particularly also not moving Colon out until 64 minutes. Like in the next round we probably have Davy's Wexford, the boys better have a couple of plans because everyone knows for a certain fact Davy will have a sweeper in front of Conlon to cut the supply aswell too. At the other end, nothing was done then to try and cut the ball into Horgan and Harnedy. He took too long to take off the ineffectual Cleary, the call should have been to put say someone like Shanahan to sit in front of the full back line kind of like what Cork did to us. I just have no proper trust in this management team to make the right calls when needed to.

I think finally, I posted after the Limerick match how I felt Malone and Cleary were doing effective jobs in their positions, but it looks like on yesterday's showing, that at the highest level, they're hurling when on the ball is brutally exposed. Like its was pretty much at the stage where every time they got the ball you were expecting them to give it away, and covering your eyes if they ever have to shoot. They're reading of the game is questionable, particularly Cleary who just doesn't have a presence in that half back line. But honestly, we don't have the replacements. McCarthy may start instead of Malone the next day but I'm unsure how much better he is if anything.

Overall this is very disappointing. It just always feels like two steps forward, one step back. Shout out to Jack Browne who had a fine corner back display once again.

Edit. Also, I don't want to sound like I'm taking anything away from a fine Cork team and their win. They were the better hurlers on the day and were full credit for they're win. I wish them the best because they have buckets of talent.

I would like to know what distance players covered during that game. I'm guessing Cleary covered a lot of ground.

Start McGrath the next day. Malone has a job to do later in the game.
Pull Kelly to Midfield and go from there.
Wexford will play sweeper, have a full forward in there to make sure there is sweeper.
Do what Galway did last year against Wexford; Score points from mid-field and negate the sweeper and try and get ahead early.
Rotate Conlon and Duggan.
Wing forwards shouldn't last a full game these days. They are the players that should burn the backs and tear the structure apart.

Very disappointing game, the decision making as the game went on was poor. More aimless shooting, more wides from silly angles. not taking simple points, preferring to keep taking on men until the ball is lost.
Closing out games has been an issues for a few years now, so don't think we can really blame management.
You'd wonder will we even learn much from the defeat, give it is so similar to many previous defeats.
Shane O'Donnell desrrved to be taken off I felt, Conor McGrath is a great sub to bring on and arguably should be starting. However, even he as an experienced (and fresh) player didn't really keep their composure.

Clare were rubbish last sunday the backs as has been doing with a long time leaked scores to Cork every minute of 2nd half. Cant keep a tyre pumped if leaks air! The defence are bottlers every single one of them! Man to man Cork roasted the defence! No point keeping them backs or rotating them. Management have to step down 2 yrs in charge nothing achieved and not one class defender unearthed! Davy had his critics but can say for sure he knew defence was bad and played a rotational sweeper game and in his 2nd yr in charge albeit a back door route he got the all ireland and followed up with a league in 2016. These managers 2 of them! have achieved nothing or no new class defenders. They left ODonnell on last Sunday who didnt even get a ball or pass a ball. Time for radical change! Conlon wasnt even moved to another position when Spillane was put on him! Truly its a very softly softly approach. Do you note no one hates the current managers certainly outside Clare! Why because too naive and soft and not a threat! Fairly sure now Davy with Wexford and PASSION will beat Clare next day out and have the last laugh for been let go from Clare in the first place! Some of these Clare players getting too much reapect and now its becoming clear they didnt want to work hard for Davy to win more but have won nothing since either!

Clareman wrote: »

Our free taker hit a player in front of him in the head with a free, that pretty much sums up our second half performance.

Did Eoin Cadogan get in Peter Duggan head with his sledging.? They seemed to having words going off the pitch at half time too.

I think the line is too slow.. 21s yes they were great there but for Senior they just do not adapt quick enough and make changes.. it's all well and good saying this player and that player were under performing but if they were why weren't changes made...
I could give criticism about the players all day but what is the point when we have bench full of lads fighting for positions and they aren't being used or used too late.. jaysus even some tactic changes would be helpful

A player makes a mistake or drops the head.. why isn't a runner sent in straight away to perk them up, yes these are adults but on a big day like that even tho you are surrounded by teammates the game moves too fast for any of them to be able to say "chin up you'll get him next time"

It just too hard to watch anymore..

Gaatalk wrote: »

To score 3-19! last Sunday and loose the game should be normally be puzzling but in Clares case was and isnt as the defence is so so poor.
None of the defenders including the captain are now upto intercounty standard. As for others on the team a lot of play showboating when on the ball and then loose it. Cocky loosers is what I call that! I was at the match and Clare were 8 up and yet as soon again they were only 4 up and after half time Clares defenders decided immediately to collapse! They are simply bottlers. This all ireland winning team of 2013 have got rid of Davy and have lost 5 times since 2013 to Cork. They have paid a high price beating Cork in an all ireland! Lost twice to Cork in munster in 2018, lost twice in a row in munster finals to Cork 2017 and 2018, lost every yr in the championship to Cork since 2013 with the exception of one year! Its a very embarrasing record against Cork and acourse Cork talk them up publicily but privately word is Cork love playing Clare! They loved playing Clare in the 70s and in 86 munster finals and in the noughties with the exception of 2013. Clare beat them often between 93 and 98 with Loughnane and Davy did it in 2013! Both managers had steel passion and knowledge to manage a senior team! The current joint managers are not capable of managing at senior level have been found out now after 2 years in charge and last sundays game. Credit to what they achieved at underage with average players and they should go back to that again if want to but its time for them to step down from senior management for the long term betterment of success for future Clare Senior teams. 2018 is finished now and the supporters who followed Clare in Munster are sick of it. Not many went to first game against cork and they were lulled into going to the munster final and not rewarded. Too much hysteria re tickets too and yet wasnt a full sell out after all! Against a tired Tipp team Clare were lucky to rob Tipp and played 2nd fiddle for most of game! Against Waterford Waterford were riddled with injuries and yet scored one goal in clare early on, Ennis was easy place to beat them then! Against limerick I really think Limerick flopped and acourse a local darby in Ennis again Clare played hard. But scratch the surface and go back to league quarter final Clare got 30 points or more against limerick and again leaked it in defence. Management didnt address the defence issues for last sunday just hoped somehow it would be covered over but it wasnt Cork roasted the Clare Defence all through the 2nd half and midfield too! Have to rebuild a new defence with skilful genuine and strong defenders and fit defenders who should be first to the ball and able to track a forward not be psssed out by forward like a racing car! If I can see this most wise people do but maybe a lot are in denial! Get rid of the defence and rebuild.
Get rid of ODonnell has done nothing since 2013 been still picked on team !
Replace the managers with one manager with good senior experience who builds the team from the back! If you have bad backs but good forwards going no where. If the reverse you might win some big games! The Clare team of the nineties won 2 all irelands and 3 munsters with a great backline . This Clare team with some good forwards are winning no big games with a poor defence. The proof is there!

Did you just register on boards to have a pop at everyone on that Clare team?

Westside1 wrote: »

This ref is terrible for Clare. I get a bad feeling when I see him. No advantage rule applied when goals on for Clare. This happened twice, just blew the whistle in case Clare had a chance of getting a goal. Podge pulled and dragged a few times. Conlon clearly pushed in the back. Lying on the ball not applied to both sides. He has something against Clare since 2013 but it didn't work for him that year. Cork were better and deserved their win but I hate to see this going on. Any ref can have a bad day but we are always a few points down before we start with this guy

Couldn't agree more. When I heard he got the gig I was completely disheartened as Clare's admittedly slim hopes of a win were wiped with McGrath who's totally bent against Clare. He did his damndest to beat Clare single handedly in the 2013 all-Ireland replay. He's a little slug who's had his feelings hurt by someone or he's been got to by the cork mafia. We got zero off him yet again and he only awarded frees when Clare were likely to benefit by goals if the advantage rule was played as it was in the case of Tony Kelly. He's corrupt and a liability and the county board should make a case for Clare to be exempt from playing against 16, as it is the case with the Westmeath coward. Yes Clare were found wanting horribly when cork awoke from their initial slumber. Yes there was plenty of poor choices made by Clare players, there were poor wides, silly missed frees, strong classy at times opponents, but McGrath's desperately snide corrupt officiating gave Clare far far too much of an obstacle to overcome. The modern day John Denton. Murphy's law whereby everything that can go wrong, does goes wrong echoes Frank Murphy's law whereby referees who can be paid off, will be paid off. Its sickening.

The Ref was ****e for both teams. It's not a conspiracy, I was talking to a member of the Cork backroom staff yesterday and they weren't happy with him either. They weren't happy with the linesmen either.

Gaatalk wrote: »

No I didnt just register for that but you cant be in denial. Its very obvious that the backline is chaotic and not fit for purpose so cant be in denial. So too are some of our midfielders not upto it and a forward or two such as ODonnell who hasnt done anything for Clare in 5 years to merit his place any longer on the team! McGrath lost form was dropped but ODonnell has completely been off form in 5 yrs and yet gets picked! Now I have to also say that while Clare threw away the lead and the backs were second to the sliotar at the same time the referee was a bloody disgrace. However you have to beat the referee and play above him like did in 2013 final. Clare should object to McGrath going forward as he gave Clare no advantage, let Cork hurl over the sideline on numerous times one occasdion from which the 2nd goal came for Cork but Clare defended poorly so 2 wrongs dont make a right.
Clare Management has to go
Clare Defence have to get the boot
Some of the forwards and a midfielder needs to be axed too.
Bugler, Donlon, ODonovan, Cooney if were still hurling would be better than the current shambolic unfit unskilled defence
If Clare defended any bit last Sunday and popped on a few more tit for tat scores when Clare were 8 up Clare should have easily beaten Cork not just won the game. Had Cork been 8 up b4 half time Cork would not have let the game slip. If Loughnane or Davy was in charge this would have not been let slip because the defence would be right and afraid of the consequences if they did let the lead slip!
I think you will agree we cant be in denial and take the softly softly approach. We are supporters and expect better.

For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong. H. L. Mencken

Westside1 wrote: »

You are having a good laugh there. The Cork backroom team unhappy with the ref and lines man. Id say they were in the pub after saying three cheers to McGrath. He should never be allowed ref a Clare match again. Its not fair on the players when you have to beat 16 men.

Yep acourse Cork people having a great laugh and the biggest laugh of all is that if Cork play Clare a 3rd time this yr in the semi or final they will beat Clare too! Shur look a few times we saw the Cork playerd clearly stepping over the line with the ball also over the line. Referee or linesmen ignored it but then again they knew Clare were an easy ride and pushover! The Clare players didnt protest or else didnt even notice! So like that tells you the character of this Clare Mgt and Players at senior grade. In 95, 97,98 and 13, Ger Loughnane and Davy in 13 would have been in officials faces fighting for everything. Not the case with the current Clare setup! All the moaning and cribbing is done after the horse has bolted! Id say Clare will definitely loose to Wexford and that will give me great pleasure because Davy wasnt good enough for them when they had him!! Do you notice how no one is criticising this clare management really eventhough they deserve bags of it as have won no silverware after 2 yrs in charge and after inheriting a senior team that won an all ireland and after managing them successfully at underage. Davy got rakes of unfair criticism but these lads are not as no threat I think.

If Clare somehow beat Wexford they will loose to Cork in semi or final for the 3rd time in this years championship how much more excitement Cork will get! If Clare loose to Wexford it will be a good laugh too and Davy wont feel too sorry rightfully so!

So its really a chicken and egg situation now unless Clare acourse win Liam Mc Carthy out and there is no chance of that it would be a bigger shock than 2013!

Time for the Clare defenders to be replaced the whole six of them need to be dropped off the panel and also time to drop ODonnell and Malone aswell off the panel completely. Kelly could do with some time on the subs bench to wake him up. A new goalie needs to be found too, Pat Kelly of 2013 was more reliable than Tuohy.

Reputable Rog wrote: »

How many times did you play for Clare yourself?

How many times did you play?
Are you a Clare GAA fan or Cork Fan or what?
Do you go to games to support?

Your question just shows signs that the truth hurts you doesnt it? Maybe you could answer that.
Dont need to be an expert to know it was the entire Clare backs that got found out badly last Sunday after they surrendered an 8 point lead between them and Cork. Do you deny that or not like me been direct about it? No point avoiding the issue! Your question is irrelevant? How many times did you play for Clare?