Consistency is crucial for Kilmaley

by Eoin Brennan news@clareecho.ie

Since the draw was made and the fixtures quickly deciphered, the opening round derby between back-to-back holders Ballyea and then Clare Cup champions Kilmaley easily stood out from the pack as the tie of the first weekend.

Subsequent fixture alterations to allow the majority of Clare’s flagship hurling squad an extended recuperation following their All-Ireland Semi-Final exit a fortnight ago has only bolstered that headline act appeal in Cusack Park this Saturday evening (6.30pm).

However, for Kilmaley, the difficulty of challenges in a five team group are arguably surpassed by a need to concentrate on their own development and mindset.

After all, there’s no doubting their depth of talent as proven their Clare Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2022 along with coming within a whisker of reaching the final in 2018 but that is offset by disappointing exit at last year’s group stages accelerated by a 14 point reverse to Clooney-Quin.

“Look, we’ll know exactly where we’re at in less than a fortnight’s time,” admitted

Conor McMahon, the stalwart former player who has stepped up to the backroom team for 2023. “We’ve two games in the space of a week against the senior and intermediate champions and then we’ve a four week break after that so this Saturday we just have to hit the ground running.

“Ballyea have been so strong, they’re so experi enced and they know how to get out of tight situations so that presents a huge chal lenge for us, especially com ing from where we’re coming from. I think we’ve a decent blend of ex- pe rienced lads com