Sunday May 1

Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Final

Clare v Waterford, Semple Stadium, 3.30pm

By Cian O'Connell

Even though Clare are in ‘bonus territory’ goalkeeper Patrick Kelly is hugely encouraged by the progress being made in 2016.

Clare’s spring brief was to attain promotion to Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League: that was achieved in an efficient manner.  Now, though, silverware is on the agenda.

“I think the big game was the Limerick game, it was bonus territory after that,” is Kelly’s honest appraisal on Clare’s campaign so far.

“But getting over Tipp at home and leading into a League semi-final, we did take it seriously. We did want to win it to get to a final. There was a big emphasis on it.”

Having stitched four goals in the Kilkenny success Clare are brimful of optimism entering the decider against Waterford, who they also face in the Munster Championship next month.

“We looked sharp,” Kelly admitted about Clare’s display against the Cats. “Things kind of came together. We got breaks and we didn’t have many wides compared to other games. Normally, we’d be up at 15 or 20, but I’d say we hit less than 10.

“We got the two quick goals and that settled us. We had a bit of a cushion and maybe stunned Kilkenny a bit.

“We had the cushion at half-time and when Kilkenny were coming back at us Conor McGrath pushed on with the goal. Things went for us on the day, but it’s not going to be like that every day.

Even though Clare delivered a vibrant performance Kelly was worried about the Banner’s concession rate.  “The negative is that we did concede 2-18 and Kilkenny didn’t really play up to standard,” Kelly reflected. “So that’s something we’re going to have to work on.

“Yes, we haven’t been conceding many goals, but I think Waterford have conceded less. So, two fairly defensive outfits. If we get half of that (4-22 against Kilkenny), 2-11, we’ll be doing well.”

One of the most pleasing aspects for Davy Fitzgerald in 2016 has been how they’ve fared with a string of injuries with newcomers impressing.

“Fitzy always harps on about ‘if you have the jersey, keep possession of it’,” Kelly said. “The young lads that have come in have really done well.

“Bobby (Duggan), Shangy (Aaron Shanagher) and Fitzy (David Fitzgerald), they’ve really done well. The manager is going to have a headache now.

“There’s competition for places. You have the likes of Tony (Kelly) coming back, I’m not sure of the situation with Davy Mc, Shane O’Donnell should be back. It’s a good headache to have."

Podge Collins’ return to the panel is another positive according to Kelly.  “Oh yeah, he came on in a few games, and even the football, and maybe he was struggling for a bit of form, probably putting pressure on himself, but he was going well in training the last two weeks and he was as busy as ever against Kilkenny. 

“Typical Podge like, work rate and intensity. He's just a great lad to have around the set up, it’s good to have him back.”

Donal Og Cusack’s sideline involvement remains a topical issue and Kelly has been impressed with his approach.

“He's good, he wouldnt' be dealing much with the goalkeeping side of things, we have our own goalkeeping coach, he kind of works with the backs, but he's good to talk to,” Kelly commented.

“He's very sharp on aspects like puckouts and organisation like that. We probably have the top two goalies, along with Cummins and Fitzhenry, involved in the set up so it's good.”

What about the dynamic between Cusack and Fitzgerald?  “It's good, it's good,” Kelly admitted. “Fair play to Davy for bringing him in. Thinking outside the box.

“Ye got as big a shock as we did. Look, things have been working great so far. We're on a bit of a roll, we're undefeated this year and I suppose when you're winning everything is great, but the question now is our first defeat, when we get defeated, what are people going to be asking?

“But, at the moment, they're working well together, they get on well together and all is good at the moment.”

Three years ago Clare embarked on a glorious backdoor adventure to reclaim the All Ireland title.  Since then Clare have suffered several harrowing losses with confidence draining from the system.

“If you break it down, we were losing games by a point or two and a score,” Kelly stated. “There was a big rigmarole that Clare were on the way down, but we were just going through a bad set of results and obviously confidence was battered because of that.

“When you're winning games, there's a buzz in training and everyone wants to go training and you're in a better mood. That breeds success as well.”

Can Clare recapture the dash of 2013?  “That's what you're hoping but 2013 was building momentum. Once we got going after the Wexford game, the Galway game like, that's what you need.

“It's all about timing as well. There's no good going well in April. We saw that in 2014, we were absolutely flying it in the League and then, all of a sudden, we were out of the Championship in July and the same with last year so we want to be playing.

“Our ambition this year is to be playing into August, playing into September. That's what we hope anyway so it's a timing aspect now and getting fresh again over the next month for the two games we have.

“Every team is in the same boat. Every team wants to get to August or September. I think the main thing is if you're winning games.

“Especially with our lads being so young. You get confidence from winning games. Waterford are winning games as well.

“Last year we were getting results and obviously the media were on our case. There was a bit of negativity around at the start of the year. I think if we keep winning games that should definitely help us for the year ahead.”