Do or die for Clare in Derry

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

A SIEGE mentality must be produced by Clare’s footballers as they fight to keep their Division 2 status.

Colm Collins’ side make the long journey to Derry this weekend in the penultimate round of games, successive defeats to Meath, Kildare, Dublin and Cork have left the Banner staring down relegation.

Former Clare forward, Ger Keane acknowledged, “Clare are now most definitely in a battle for survival in Division 2 alongside Kildare, Meath and Limerick. Over the last number of years Clare have been the masters of staying up and have good experience of battling against the odds”.

Clare will need to throw everything at Derry to try get a result and keep matters in their own hands rather than relying completely on other results. In last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final, Rory Gallagher’s side had a 5-13 2-08 win over Clare in Croke Park.

work done so it’s just brilliant. We just trusted that they would do that so it’s just great to see that come to the fore”.

Limiting the concession of frees was key to curbing the Clara threat according to the Doonbeg senior footballer. “It comes down to their attitude. Their attitude since we started with them, from day one has been just excellent. We knew if we could limit the frees that we would get over the line and thankfully we did”.

Experience gained both on the field and off it prior to the game will be of massive benefit for their footballing careers, Paul noted. “Even to go through this week and to go through the build-up that there was to the game. To experience that as a player can only stand to them especially the way they played for the final 50 minutes or so of that game.

“They looked like they belonged out there. I’ve no doubt that the majority of that team are going to have bigger days ahead so it’s great that they have experienced it. They have gotten through the game. They have won the game so it will stand to them. They have memories there for the rest of their lives”.

Kilkee native Keane writing in his column exclusive to subscribers of The Clare Echo outlined, “Clare will be working on creating a siege mentality over the next few weeks with the end of the league and the start of the championship coming quickly down the tracks.

"Derry were extremely impressive in the second half in their victory against Dublin at the weekend but they looked quite average up until half time”.

He added, “Clare will try and rewrite the script and they will relish the opportunity to test Derry’s credentials.

"The two weeks break will give them a chance to re-group and analyse their recent performances with a view to implementing a few possible tactical changes. Clare will need to bring their normal energy and fight to the Oakleafers and to concentrate on what is happening in front of them and not to worry about any other results or events outside of their control.

"That is what they have done in Division 2 for the past six years and that is what they will do again for the foreseeable future”.