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Topic: Clare champion
John Street (47 Posts)	Posted: 21-Jun-2012 16:31	Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply
John Street (47 Posts)	Just read this in this weeks Clare champion. Don't agree at all with some of the points made but you don't often see much in the way of any critical gaa comment in local papers, which at least makes this refreshing. Time for Davy to take to the stand Written by Peter O'Connell NEXT time out, Davy Fitzgerald must consider sitting in the stand and allow his selectors, Louis Mulqueen and Mike Deegan, to patrol the sideline. The Clare manager cannot seem to take a step back on the line and watch the game in a detached manner. While his raw passion and an unyielding will to win are admirable traits, in this instance they are destabilising Clare. Instead of targeting specific players, opponents are targeting the Clare manager, seeking to rise him, knowing that even if he doesn’t explode, their efforts will at least lead to a lapse of concentration on the sideline. Rival managers are unlikely to be orchestrating this approach; it’s just that players who know Davy are taking it upon themselves to have a cut. He wants to win more than anybody involved but sometimes taking a step back can be a proactive route. How it is possible to concentrate on what is happening on the field if a manager is in the ear of the referee or linesmen and telling opposing players how many All-Ireland medals he has won? Mulqueen and Deegan had to watch the game at the opposite side of the field from where their manager and the substitutes were located. Even if the mobile phone link was crystal clear, it’s impossible for a selector to clearly convey his thoughts via a mobile or alternative communication links. Would it not be worth changing how Clare operate on the sideline for their qualifier game on July 14? In terms of fitness, Clare were exceptionally well prepared. On the hurling front, they didn’t persist with the possession game evident during the league. They played a more direct game, seeking to find Conor McGrath, who clearly showed that in a one-on-one situation, he has the zip for most defenders. Yet how many Clare players maximised their capabilities in Thurles? Domhnall O’Donovan played superbly at right corner-back and couldn’t have given another drop, while McGrath, John Conlon, Paudge Collins, on his debut, and Jonathon Clancy all had a few good moments, though not enough of them. What will frustrate Davy Fitzgerald more than John Mullane and Eoin Kelly picking at him is the fact that Clare were just two points shy of Waterford, even though their half-back line was well beaten. Conor Cooney was off the pace at corner-back, Cian Dillon had trouble dealing with high balls, midfield was outplayed, Enda Barrett and Colin Ryan didn’t cut it up front, while Pat Kelly gifted Waterford their first goal. Again it was direct, high ball that flummoxed the Clare full-back line and led directly to the goal. This team is largely fairly young and is evolving but let’s remember, Waterford had four players making their Munster championship debuts. Two of their newcomers, goalkeeper Stephen O’Keeffe and corner-back Stephen Daniels, excelled. Of course, those players were able to bed in while surrounded by the know-how of ‘Brick’ Walsh, Mullane, Kelly, Seamus Prendergast and Stephen Molumphy. Clare don’t have players of similar experience or stature. So the county’s abysmal Munster championship record has worsened. Sunday’s defeat means Clare have won just three Munster championship games since 2000 and haven’t won a game in the provincial championship in 11 of the last 13 seasons. The 19 players who hurled for the county last weekend in Thurles didn’t fail because of lack of effort or desire. They lost because when the game was in the balance, Waterford were composed and availed of more of their scoring chances, shooting just four wides, compared to Clare’s 10. Without a doubt, referee James McGrath’s ridiculous decision to award a penalty against Cian Dillon, and not a free out, was of huge benefit to Waterford. Awarding that first-half penalty was a huge factor in swinging the game towards Waterford. Once this weekend’s club championship games are over, management will have to examine how they can go about restructuring their starting 15. Liam Markham had a decent outing at midfield against Kilkenny in the league semi-final and must surely come into the equation either there or at wing-back, while Nicky O’Connell and Pat Donnellan could also be moved to the half-back line, with perhaps a fit Seán Collins starting at midfield? Seadna Morey is yet another quality option at wing-back. In his 12 minutes or thereabouts on the field, Morey looked comfortable in the heat of championship. Brian O’Connell could be another option, either at corner-back, in the half-back line or midfield, while hopefully a couple of weeks hurling will further sharpen Darach Honan, who may well have buried his half chance of a goal, had he been hurling sharp. Free-taking is another area that Clare will have to examine, as a free and a 65’, both in the last five minutes, were spurned by Nicky O’Connell. A broad question worth asking is have Clare improved on their 2011 championship showing? They were easily beaten by both Tipperary and Galway last year but at least competed manfully last Sunday. That indicates they have improved, just not sufficiently to win tight Munster championship matches. This Clare squad cannot be considered forever ‘promising’. They must deliver soon and that means winning a championship game against a top-tier county. Otherwise Clare’s ‘golden generation’ of hurlers will not fulfil their apparent potential at adult level.
loose ball (454 Posts)	Posted: 21-Jun-2012 17:16	Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply
loose ball (454 Posts)	Good article , to be honest most of us expected some sort of sideline incident at this match . This is a worry as players won't buy into the whole Davy sideshow if it's to continue long term . Several issues to be addressed from last Sunday . Freetaking Dealing with high ball by full back line/goalie Switches made during game ie. Did anybody expect lynch to be an impact sub ? Allowing aerial dominance of prendergast once mcinerney went off , Honan not up to the pace just yet . Team/panel selection ie no daire Keane or cathal mcinerney in squad !! Compare mcinerneys scoring record for cratloe against podge Collins for cratloe over past few seasons . Given that we didn't start with 6 scoring forwards then we needed some finishers on the bench . Nobody I spoke to beforehand was confident that we were capable of scoring any more than 20 pts. Looking forward to the next game to see what changes are made .
Ozzy (1,867 Posts)	Posted: 21-Jun-2012 18:14	Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply
Ozzy (1,867 Posts)	How it is possible to concentrate on what is happening on the field if a manager is in the ear of the referee or linesmen and telling opposing players how many All-Ireland medals he has won? Quote-- This is undoubtedly true. People can say he was hard done by RTE or whatever, but clearly abusing opposition players shows a certaing lack of focus.
bp (2,408 Posts)	Posted: 21-Jun-2012 19:19	Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply
bp (2,408 Posts)	Originally posted by John Street: Just read this in this weeks Clare champion. Don't agree at all with some of the points made but you don't often see much in the way of any critical gaa comment in local papers, which at least makes this refreshing. Time for Davy to take to the stand Written by Peter O'ConnellNEXT time out, Davy Fitzgerald must consider sitting in the stand and allow his selectors, Louis Mulqueen and Mike Deegan, to patrol the sideline. The Clare manager cannot seem to take a step back on the line and watch the game in a detached manner. What will frustrate Davy Fitzgerald more than John Mullane and Eoin Kelly picking at him is the fact that Clare were just two points shy of Waterford, even though their half-back line was well beaten. Conor Cooney was off the pace at corner-back, Cian Dillon had trouble dealing with high balls, midfield was outplayed, Enda Barrett and Colin Ryan didn’t cut it up front, while Pat Kelly gifted Waterford their first goal. ‘Brick’ Walsh, Mullane, Kelly, Seamus Prendergast and Stephen Molumphy. Clare don’t have players of similar experience or stature. I'm all for balanced criticism where it's due, I'm open to correction here but PO'C seems to be saying that, Clare were beaten or failed to match Waterford in upto 11 out of the 15 positions, Clare's management were in the wrong place or distracted, and Waterford had five players of a caliber above any of our own lads ? If he is correct in all the above , then how come Waterford only won by two points ?
Murphy Rocks (273 Posts)	Posted: 21-Jun-2012 22:37	Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply
Murphy Rocks (273 Posts)	Originally posted by bp: I'm all for balanced criticism where it's due, I'm open to correction here but PO'C seems to be saying that, Clare were beaten or failed to match Waterford in upto 11 out of the 15 positions, Clare's management were in the wrong place or distracted, and Waterford had five players of a caliber above any of our own lads ?If he is correct in all the above , then how come Waterford only won by two points ? Simple. The ref kept them in it. Some of the frees they were awarded in the second half were comical.
scelp (1,695 Posts)	Posted: 21-Jun-2012 23:06	Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply
scelp (1,695 Posts)	I agree with the general thrust of O'Connells article. There's a fine line between controlled passion on the touchline inspiring your players and looking like a distracting titt. Fitzgerald needs to examine this closely.
Frankel (100 Posts)	Posted: 21-Jun-2012 23:16	Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply
Frankel (100 Posts)	I think the article is mainly correct. Clare have lacked people on the sideline to read and successfully alter tactics in a game for quite a while. I believe Clare would improve with having a Brian or Frank Lohan on one side and a Jamesie O'Connor on the forwards linked up to headsets with Davy if he wants to continue on the sidelines. It is clear as day that Clare are fit and committed but have weaknesses, to some extent Waterford got into the game with the penalty but Clare were kept in the game with silly fouling by Waterford. This Clare team needs surgery and speaking from outside the county while it is admirable for Davy to be loyal to players results are ultimately what his tenure will be judged on. The questions that Clare folk should be asking their manager and his extended team 1. Was Fergal Lynch going to turn the game Sunday more then a Daire Keane, Aaron Cunningham etc. 2. Why take off your free taker when Waterford are giving away frees? 3. Why persist with 4 and 7 when the guys are clearly possibly through injury or fatigue clearly struggling with form and when players for those positions such as Glynn, Morey, Barrett are available? Those two lads are struggling they need a break. 4. Why persist with playing the form player at center back in the Clare Cup in the forward line, surely Enda Barret should start at 6 with James Mc at 7 and Morey 5. Morey is not only a better marker, has more pace and has better distribution 5. What happened to Cathal Mcinerney, Eoin Hayes etc? I think Davy will get there but he needs help, look at JBM panel of selectors compared with Clare..
BeTimberin (2,458 Posts)	Posted: 21-Jun-2012 23:19	Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply
BeTimberin (2,458 Posts)	The reasons we lost the game were: 1) Conceded a penalty that should have been a free out. 2) Had 10 wides including 3 frees from scoreable positions and numerous chances that we should have taken and also had 2 shots in the second half from Nicky and John Conlon which dropped into the goalkeeper who cleared down the field for Waterford scores. 3) Lost the midfield battle to Stephen Molumphy 4) Gave away 4 frees at a critical point in the game very softly - Donnelan on O'Brien, Bugsy on O'Brien, Bruiser overcarrying and Bruiser on Shanahan. Granted Waterford equally gave away soft frees - Mullane on Nicky, Moran picking the ball off the ground, persistent fouls on McGrath. Peter O'Connell can attack Fitzy all he wants and though im critical of Davy in the sense that i think he needs to play lads like Morey and Cunningham now rather than waiting around i think the players have to hold their hands up on this one moreso than the manager. In fairness to the lads they are an extremely honest panel of players and they dont need any of this shoved down their throat. The lads that made mistakes the last day could well come out and hurl all round them in the qualifiers so criticising mistakes needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. The overall point is though - we had our chances to win the game and we didnt take them. we should have been a couple of points to the good entering the injury time, instead we were chasing the game....outside of Thomas Ryan's chance i felt we were finishing the game better. If you look at Martin O'Neill's point it game from Stephen Daniels throwing his hurley at Patrick Kelly's puckout in a rather hit and hope attempt, he gets a stick to it and eventually Waterford carve out the opening for O'Neill. If Daniels hadnt managed to get his hurl to that, we were level based on McGrath having a clear opportunity to put the ball over!
1st Time (1,296 Posts)	Posted: 22-Jun-2012 04:36	Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply
1st Time (1,296 Posts)	Davy should be in the stand ...but there would be no holding him there and there's no changing Davy. He is who he is. Well ...before the match, I said we wouldn't win because we selected non-scoring forwards. I didn't expect us to score 20 points. The non-scoring forwards was exasperated by bringing on another non-scoring forward (Fergal Lynch). Don't get me wrong ...I'm a big fan of Lynch, but we can only afford 1 non-scoring forward at the very most. Yes, Daire Keane and Aaron Cunningham can score. Aaron got 5 minutes. I said that Davy would bring on a rusty Honan to pull the match out of the fire ... totally unfair. He did, Honan was, surprise, surprise, not match fit. Conlon is a bull of a man ...but he tries to burst past his man (even though he lacks pace) and gets dispossessed to easily. He had a good game but sometimes, he just needs make the ball do the work.
kavvie (289 Posts)	Posted: 22-Jun-2012 09:49	Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply
kavvie (289 Posts)	i wouldnt think peter attacked davy?he talks a lot of sense.
oldspice (157 Posts)	Posted: 22-Jun-2012 14:33	Quote Edit Delete Report Post Post Reply
oldspice (157 Posts)	Slightly off topic but in the article, he mentions Clare playing their qualifier on July 14. Should that not be July 7? Also, he blames Kelly for giving away the first goal last Sunday.

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