This article is from page 71 of the 2011-02-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 71 JPG
THERE WAS no Jedward in Casement Park on Sunday, not much of a crowd either, with the clash of the Celtic v Rangers game clearly taking from the home support as could be seen from the large parade of Celtic jerseys on view outside the grounds beforehand. But there were several television cameras that not only captured the action but also interviewed the home management at length on their latest hard luck story.
Antrim selector Ollie Baker may be new to the management team but he was inevitably at the centre of attention for this game with his obvious links for both sides and after completing his television duties, he was sufficiently warmed up to field questions regarding both his hats.
First to Antrim.
“Possibly we could have won. With two or three minutes to go, the game was in the melting pot and we had two or three chances but didn’t take them. They are a young team so they need to learn from that and they are fierce disappointed in the dressing room. We just need to learn from that and move on but in saying that, we were seven points down at half-time and came out with a tremendous effort in the second half. They really had to work hard to get back into the game but did that and maybe just came up a little short in the end.
“Maybe Clare had a bit more composure at vital times in the game but for every score that they got in the second half, we responded very well, came back and we were picking our scores from play and making more chances. So we can take an awful lot of positives out of the game as well which is huge as it is only the second game of the league and as I’ve said, they are a very young team.
And having been part of the previous Clare management under Mike McNamara as well as former AllIreland winning team-mates of the current Clare set-up members, Ger O’Loughlin and Liam Doyle, the St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield clubman is obviously better positioned than most to offer up his opinion on Clare as well.
“Again I suppose, they were on a hiding to nothing after their performance last week and the criticism that was levelled at them last week but I knew that they’re not that bad. They came up here today and I think the important thing for them was that after 20 minutes, they had 2-5 or 26 up on the board which was huge thing for them and they were able to sit on that lead when we had the wind in the second half. They hurled well and again it’s early season for them as well but it was important that they got their win and it’s just disappointing that it had to come at Antrim’s expense.
“The experience that they had gained in the All-Ireland Under 21’s and also that they are playing below in the Munster championship every year, it’s just amazing how much that is an advantage for a team to hurl at that level of intensity and that in turn brings a level of intensity back into training as well.
“Again they are on the right road and Sparrow is doing a good job with them as well and he is taking the chance to go with the young lads and that’s the future. They will be the future of Clare hurling and that’s the way you have to go.”
29 minutes
Clar e r eceive a let off when Br endan Bugler smot her s a Michael Ar mst rong close r ange effor t and Clar e go down t he field wit h Diar muid Mc point ing out of a scr amble.
Clare 2-7
Antrim 0- 4 33 minutes Clar e complet e an unanswer ed 1-5 haul when Nicky O’Connell point s a monst er fr ee from his own 65 met r e line t o give Clar e a healt hy 11 point advant age.
Clare 2- 9
Antrim 0- 4 34 minutes Ant r im r eceive a lifeline when Car son’s shot is saved by Tuohy and t he r ebound is int er cept ed by Vaughan. St ewar t point s a fr ee soon aft er war ds
Clare 2- 9
Antrim 0- 5 36 minutes Tur ning point of game as Mc Keegan supplies Car son who in t ur n picks out onr ushing McManus. Doesn’t br eak st r ide t o st r ike t o far cor ner.
Clare 2- 9
Antrim 1- 5 30 minutes Clar e’s fift h scor e wit hout r eply and Dar ach Honan’s fir st of t he league when he cont r ols an aer ial ball and put s over fr om 35 met r es in front of t he post s.
Clare 2- 8
Antrim 0- 4