Meyler’s men need a result in Ennis
Clare v Cork
THIS Sunday John Meyler will hit the road for Ennis where he will lead his Cork side into Round 3 of the National Hurling League Division 1A against the Banner County.
Meyler has had a mixed bag of results from the first two national competitive fixtures seeing off Kilkenny by a goal 1-24 to 0-24 on the opening day before losing out to high flying Wexford on day two.
Considering the opposition they faced, one win from two is not a bad return from the first pair of engagements this season, but losing can become a hard habit to shake at this grade so a win next weekend against a Clare side unbeaten so far will be something of a must for the Rebels.
While the starting line-up is not likely to be named until Friday we remain in the realms of speculation when it comes down to who will start, but Meyler is beginning to mould a side from the resources available so wholesale changes as a result of one loss is unlikely to be the manager’s first course of action – something that will surely please a faithful Cork support seeking a solid starting fifteen as they make the trip up the N20.
Cork will be looking to the likes of Patrick Horgan, Seamus Harnedy and Alan Cadogan to provide not only a goal threat but something to keep Clare’s back line from storming forward. The Cork trio bagged 1-8 between them the last day however that will need to be improved upon if Cork are to leave the capital of Clare with the spoils of victory.
Charleville’s Darragh Fitzgibbon is also likely to be integral to what happens this weekend with Christopher Joyce, Tim O’Mahony and Mark Ellis all likely to play some part here. O’Mahony in particular has been something of a revelation this season as he looks to secure the centre-back spot for himself as the year progresses.
Patrick Collins may need to step aside for the returning Anthony Nash after the Kanturk man’s heroics with Kanturk in the All Ireland Intermediate Club Final, but there is little doubting that the Ballinhassig man played really well in recent fixtures with his performance only enhancing his chances to become Cork’s number one as this and subsequent seasons continue.
Meyler may indeed go for a change to the line-up that came up short against Davey Fitzgerald’s Wexford,, but it is unlikely that he will tinker too much with a side that may well be beginning to find something like a competitive groove.
For Clare, this weekend provides them the opportunity to put to bed last year’s Munster Final defeat to Cork and while likely going top of the Division past the half way mark. That was a bad day for Clare in may respects however they will now believe that the 2018 edition of Cork 2 2 the county’s senior side will be a much stronger nut to crack.
Clare saw off Kilkenny last time out to record their first win in Nowlan park in over a decade with Shane O’Donnell, David Reidy and Peter Duggan adding to Kilkenny’s pain after the Leinster men lost out to Cork on the opening night on Leeside.
Cathal Malone and John Conlon are also likely to cause problems this weekend if the pair start, but the Clare management have shown in recent weeks that they are not afraid to make the hard personnel calls.
2018 is a huge year for Clare as they will feel they were not NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 1A
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Pts 2 too far away from silverware last year with the men in yellow keen to secure something for the fans of this hurling powerhouse.
Clare, like Wexford, have momentum on their side and like Fitzgerald’s side, also have two wins from two in the bag. Clare will look to impress a home support that failed to turn out in serious numbers last year and with Cork still in the middle of a serious transition the Banner will feel this one is there for the taking.
There are other fixtures this weekend, but based on the style that both teams are trying to adopt it would be difficult to find a game that stands out for the neutrals like this one.
Clare will likely qualify if they win while Cork will unfortunately find themselves struggling if they fail to triumph. Lot on the line here and we are still only in the middle of February.