Home » Tag Archives: NHL

Tag Archives: NHL

HURLING: Points divided but Clare can take the plaudits

National Hurling League Division 1 Round 4 Clare 0-18 Limerick 0-18 THE spoils may have been shared but in many ways it seemed as good as a victory for Clare who simply needed to draw a line in the sand against their Shannonside neighbours, reports Eoin Brennan. Ahead of their Munster Championship showdown in two months time back in Cusack Park, a healthy crowd of 10,016 came in anticipation of a real derby battle and they wouldn’t be disappointed even if the intensity levels weren’t always conducive to free-scoring feats. Still, while the result could have gone either way, the mere fact that Clare left Cusack Park feeling as if they left a golden opportunity behind them will only aid their motivation for the ultimate mid-May rematch. After all, with Clare having suffered a nine point reverse to the back-to-back All-Ireland champions six weeks earlier in the Munster Cup Final, Limerick arrived in Ennis with an even stronger side including …

Read More »

Kelly points the way as Clare see off Dublin challenge in National Hurling League Division 1

National Hurling League Division 1 Group B Round 4 Clare 0-34 Dublin 2-23 A MOMENTUM building victory for Clare who secured their first victory over Dublin in Parnell Park since 2005 to leapfrog their hosts in the Division 1 table this afternoon, reports Eoin Brennan. Highlighted by a 20-point haul for talisman Tony Kelly, Clare were full value for victory too after leading for the majority to cement back-to-back league victories for the first time this season. Recovering from a slow start in which the visitors found themselves trailing by 0-5 too 0-2 by the ninth minute, Kelly popped up with three in a row to ensure a 0-6 to 0-6 stalemate by the water break. Despite facing into a stiff breeze, Clare grew in confidence with six of the next seven points including two from Shane O’Donnell to move 0-12 to 0-07 clear by the 23rd minute. However, the Banner would be sucker-punched by a brace of late goals …

Read More »

Davy’s Wexford storm back to steal victory from Clare in Cusack Park

National Hurling League Division 1 Group B Round 2 Wexford 2-19 Clare 1-21 A DRAMATIC late turnaround saw Wexford snatch the spoils and ensure that Clare’s winless start continued in Cusack Park on Sunday, reports Eoin Brennan. Eight points clear entering the final quarter following strong attacking performances from Aidan McCarthy, Aron Shanagher and Cathal Malone, nothing but a home victory appeared on the cards. However, a straight red card for Liam Corry altered the momentum irrevocably as a buoyant Wexford sprung to life with 2-4 with reply to hit the front for the first time. To their credit, Clare did regain parity deep into injury-time thanks to a brace of Aidan McCarthy frees. But Wexford would have the final say when Rory O’Connor arrowed over a free in the left corner to secure the points. Clare will be disappointed to have lost their way, having bounced back from their defeat to Antrim to take the game to their Leinster …

Read More »

Shannonside derby should be a cracker

WITH Clare and Limerick due to meet in the last round of the new-look Munster Hurling Championship in June, it will add an “extra bit of interest” to Sunday’s National Hurling League quarter-final encounter, according to selector, Jimmy Browne. The Clonlara man is well familiar with Limerick, as he is vice-president of Corporate Services and Capital Development at LIT and has spent a number of years as team manager with Monaleen. He has also been involved with the coaching of Harty Cup squads at Ard Scoil Rís and amongst his backroom team was Limerick man Liam Cronin, who is now part of the Clare backroom. Ahead of the Shannonside derby, Browne acknowledges there are huge connections between the sides. “Joe [O’Connor] and Paul [Kinnerk] have been heavily involved with a lot of the Clare players. I have been involved for the past five or six years in Limerick. While with Monaleen, Brian Geary was a key figure in the side …

Read More »

Clare hurlers face a tough Tipp challenge

TIPPERARY did not compete in the recent Munster Senior League, opting instead to concentrate on preparation for what most see as a huge year for the team. Favourites to win last year’s All-Ireland title, there was disappointment amongst their followers when they went out of the race to eventual champions Galway at the semi-final stage. After taking time out to consider their next move, manager Michael Ryan and his team agreed to continue for another term and all reports suggest they have prepared well for the new season. They hammered Galway champions Liam Mellows in a recent friendly and, according to reports, such was their sharpness that Clare will face a tough test when the sides meet in the opening round of the National Hurling League at Cusack Park on Sunday, where the throw-in will be at 2pm. It is expected that Clare will be picking from a panel similar to that which was available for the Munster League final, …

Read More »
Donal Moloney and Gerry O'Connor.

Hurlers aim to stay in top flight

The quality of games in Division 1A of the National Hurling League has put Clare under pressure in each of their games and, according to selector Jimmy Browne, “ultimately you learn most about yourself when you are under pressure”. Ahead of Sunday’s relegation play-off with Dublin at Cusack Park (throw-in 4pm), he continued, “We have learned a lot this year. We had very good displays against Kilkenny and Tipperary but we did not get the result we wanted and against Waterford for a big chunk of the game. We have a chance to put that back into the mix for Sunday. That is the strength of playing in this league. “The great beauty of playing in this division is that you are testing yourself to the upper limit every day you go out and Sunday is another very important test for us,” added Browne. “We have to perform. There is a lot of importance from a Clare point of view, …

Read More »

Seadna ready for ‘all-out battle’

To secure victory over Waterford in the National Hurling League at Cusack Park on Sunday, Clare must hit the ground running, according to defender Seadna Morey. “We know each other well. We have played at underage, as well as at senior in recent years. We all know the way Waterford play and we must focus on that this week,” he said. The Sixmilebridge man went on, “It’s nice to be injury free and getting a chance. There is a great buzz with the team and it’s a great scene.” Acknowledging that it’s a huge game, he said, “Look at the league. We are second at the moment but we can still get stuck in relegation. That shows the competition. Going into the last game, it’s important to get that final win. The competition is very keen, as evidenced by the fact that a team can perform one week and then get turned over the next. “In the Kilkenny game, the …

Read More »

O’Connor hoping to start before NHL ends

TUBBER’S Pat O’Connor, who was recently appointed as the Clare senior hurling captain for 2017, is keeping his fingers crossed that he will manage some game time before Clare’s participation in the 2017 league ends. Speaking to The Clare Champion this week, he paid tribute to the physios and medical team at Santry. “I am hoping to play some bit before the league ends but, realistically, getting up to the pace required, the time frame might be a bit too soon.” He continued, “At this stage, I have little or no pain. I am back into full gym and I can swing a hurley. The next step is to get into contact. Realistically, I will be looking at the Clare Champion Cup to get back to sharpness.” The All-Ireland medal winner from 2013 said being appointed Clare captain is a “massive honour”. “I was nearly the last to find out, as I couldn’t make training that evening. It was a …

Read More »