AHEAD OF THE All-Ireland final, here is an in-depth look at those playing for Clare.
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1. Eibhear Quilligan
- Age: 30
- Club: Feakle
- Appearances: 28
- Occupation: Business development manager, ABD Nutritionals
Something of a slow-burn career, Quilligan was 26 before he made his championship debut in the 2020 Munster championship against Limerick. Responsible for a series of inspired saves in the semi-final against Kilkenny. Went through the established route of St Flannan’s College and Limerick IT. A concession rate of just over 1.5 goals per game this championship.
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2. Adam Hogan
- Age: 21
- Club: Feakle
- Appearances: 15
- Occupation: Student in Mary Immaculate
Young Hurler of the Year nominee last year. Very solid. Not far off All-Star form at this stage. Did a brilliant job against Eoin Cody in the second half after some wobbles in the first half of the semi-final.
A shaky Munster final also, but overall, he has had a very strong season and championship.
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3. Conor Cleary
- Age: 30
- Club: Kilmaley
- Appearances: 45
- Occupation: Teacher
Pinged a few times for holding onto the jersey in the Munster final and eventually yellow-carded on 43 minutes for close attention to Aaron Gillane.
Has come back really well since then. Was excellent against Lee Chin in the All-Ireland quarter-final, and brought that into the semi-final. A real leader, he captained the team to the league title in the absence of Tony Kelly.
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4. Conor Leen
- Age: 22
- Club: Corofin
- Appearances: 6
- Occupation: Student at Limerick IT
Has arrived like a comet this year and been a revelation. Had a brilliant league campaign and then didn’t play the first championship game against Limerick.
Came in against Cork and acquitted himself well and has been rock steady ever since. Had been dogged by a lot of injuries since he was with the U20s team in 2022.
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5. Diarmuid Ryan
- Age: 25
- Club: Cratloe
- Appearances: 32
- Occupation: Teacher
Always a reliable to pop up on the scoreboard, his best game of the year was against Cork in round two of the Munster campaign. He set up Shane O’Donnell’s goal and it continued a theme as he had been the Man of the Match against Cork last season.
Hasn’t shone like previous years, but pacy and back into form against Kilkenny.
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6. John Conlon
- Age: 35
- Club: Clonlara
- Appearances: 65
- Occupation: Teacher
A hero to team mates and supporters alike, but there is no doubt that Cork will seek to expose him to some of the blistering pace they have in that half-forward line.
Shook off effects of injury earlier in the year to a decent extent, but appeared cooked in the Munster final. Has a Celtic Cross in his back pocket, a total survivor, and one of Clare’s greatest ever.
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7. David McInerney
- Age: 31
- Club: Tulla
- Appearances: 57
- Occupation: Teacher
The third primary school teacher of the half-back line, got injured against Cork and missed the next seven weeks. Was risked in the Munster final and it didn’t work when up against Gearóid Hegarty.
Came back strong. Performance against Kilkenny was the best in a decade. Will have been keeping loose this week on the family dairy farm.
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8. David Fitzgerald
- Age: 28
- Club: Inagh-Kilnamona
- Appearances: 43
- Occupation: Aircraft leasing
Named in The Sunday Game Team of the Year last year, he is a formidable specimen. Striking off left and right has been pretty much perfect and his ability to do so at top pace is a huge weapon.
Was Clare’s standout performer in many games this year and in the Munster final, he was monstrous at times in open play, contributing four points from play. Followed it up with two from play against Wexford and Kilkenny since.
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9. Cathal Malone
- Age: 32
- Club: Sixmilebridge
- Appearances: 44
- Occupation: Teacher
A warrior who might be assigned a different role in this game. Perhaps a tagging job on Darragh Fitzgibbon? Wouldn’t rule it out.
Hasn’t reached the same levels as previous years but Clare have developed the ability to win and last the course while not in top form. He’s one of the most abrasive, steady performers.
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10. Tony Kelly
- Age: 30
- Club: Ballyea
- Appearances: 62
- Occupation: Teacher
The scale of his ankle surgery over the winter was perhaps downplayed.
Came on the first day against Limerick, but it was only useful as a toe-dipping exercise. Didn’t tog out against Cork. Came on against Waterford, started against Tipperary, and was eased all the way back by Brian Lohan.
Struggled in the Munster final, but had his chances. It’s been a fitful season, but he’s Tony Kelly. Clare fans will expect him to come good in the final.
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11. Mark Rodgers
- Age: 23
- Club: Scariff
- Appearances: 21
- Occupation: Student in UL
Young Hurler of the Year last year. Could have had two goals in the Munster final when he hit the post and Nickie Quaid saved the other chance.
Was brilliant in most of the games in Munster, with his best game coming in Clare’s second match against Cork. Another who seems to have reserved their best showing for the Rebels. A real talent, who could light it up if played close to goal.
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12. Peter Duggan
- Age: 30
- Club: Clooney-Quin
- Appearances: 41
- Occupation: Landscaper
Probably Clare’s best performer in the Munster final and nabbed 1-1. He also showed up exceptionally well against Cork the first day. The regular puckout target, but perhaps overused at times and it leaves Clare somewhat one-dimensional.
Great wrists, as shown by his score against Galway in 2018 that became The Sunday Game’s ‘Moment of the Year,’ he is all about the unorthodox play. A 2013 survivor.
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13. Aidan McCarthy
- Age: 24
- Club: Inagh-Kinamona
- Appearances: 23
- Occupation: AIB employee
Missed four frees in the Munster final and needs to up that accuracy.
Only came on the last few minutes against Wexford and will be seen as a marginal call for Brian Lohan to make here. Lohan had massive faith to play him in the semi-final and his league form, and especially the form he was in for the league final, has stood to him. Nailed frees in the recent Kilkenny game that he had little right to.
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14. Shane O’Donnell
- Age: 30
- Club: Eire Óg
- Appearances: 54
- Occupation: Scientist
A fizzing fireball of threat, and given his maturity, will not be phased whatsoever. That’s what scoring a hat-trick in your first final as a teenager gifts you and he will bring those positive associations into the game.
Clare’s problem might be getting enough ball into him, but a steady supply will see the usual mazy runs and improbable finishes. Will Sean O’Donoghue be given the man-marking role?
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15. David Reidy
- Age: 30
- Club: Eire Óg
- Appearances: 40
- Occupation: Works in LIT
Neat and tidy hurler. Very solid in the Munster championship and unlucky to have not started the Munster final.
Proved his value ever since. A tireless worker and produces a huge amount of assists. What he lacks in height he makes up for in flexibility. Can play in any number of positions around the forward line and even around the middle.
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Substitutes
Of the potential players who could come on, Ian Galvin (27) and Ryan Taylor (29) would be fancied to get on the pitch early.
Brian Lohan will also look to his strength in depth with Aron Shanagher, Darragh Lohan, Rory Hayes and Seadna Morey all viable options.
Should never have got rid of Vera. Karma got us tonight.
@Aidan Farrell: The full story has yet to come out.
@Aidan Farrell: Ara stop Ray, you weren’t saying that when they had a fantastic group stages in the group of death.
Huffed and puffed but ultimately weren’t good enough. The “great” Katie McCabe did nothing but give the ball away, pish and moan. Not good enough.
@Tezmond McVicar: she came across as so dislikeable tonight. Lucky not to be sent off, moaning all night long at everyone. Of course RTE continued to blow smoke up her non stop and refused to mention it at all.
@Aidan Farrell: She’s been like that since the WC. Ego out if control.
@Tezmond McVicar: A bit harsh on Katie. I agree, she was a bit whiney tonight and a bit of an arrogance about her but she’s technically gifted and can afford to be. The only downside was she got on the wrong side of the Spanish arbiter who are temperamental at the best of times. A terrible penalty decision too. Irish team should be proud of their efforts but just left it too late.
@Ultán Corcoran: Humility not arrogance is at the core of truly great players. Yes the great players have unshakeable belief in themselves but that is allied with humility. In boxing Usyk is a great example of this. I have watched on more than one occasion Diane Caldwell’s diatribe when asked about Vera Pauw’s tenure as manager. The bitterness was staggering. Sadly this year has been a disaster for the Irish women’s senior team. Take out the two Georgia games because they are ranked almost 100 places below us. We have played 10 games. The record is P10 W01 D02 L07. Yes the bulk of our games were tough and were against some of the world’s top teams but Wales are ranked below us. We played them three times this year drawing once and losing twice. The chickens have come home to roost.
@Richard Ford: Caldwell’s rant was particularly bitter.
@Bert Carolan: Unbelievably so Bert.
@Richard Ford: you make plenty of fair points there in fairness. I just think sometimes she gets criticised for actually being very talented but people don’t like to see women competing on men’s level. However, I’m not saying that’s your argument and completely agree regarding humility. I’ve always preferred the team/players that do their talking on pitches (e.g. Germany or Italy) for example as apposed to more individual egos and so forth.
@Ultán Corcoran: She is very talented Ultán and I admire that. However there are times when she oversteps the mark. You are right when you talk about teams that play as a unit but I also like the flair players.
@Richard Ford: Under Vera Pauw Ireland qualified for the World Cup and acquitted themselves reasonably well there. But Vera was heterosexual so she had to go. The team is a much closer and happier outfit now (apart from the results!!).
@Jim Fitzhenry: Not sure if what you’re saying there is true buddy!
@Ultán Corcoran: Technical gifts do not excuse her poor performances of late, and worse, her terrible behaviour on the field. She needs to be pulled aside by the next manager and taken to task. Constant berating of officials, moaning at teammates and general petulance are no way to lead a team as captain. Especially when it seems to be detracting from her own game as evidenced by all the self-serving flicks and dramatic passes that aren’t coming off. She needs to start playing for the team rather than herself. Denise O’Sullivan being given the captaincy would be the first step in the right direction.
A manager who looked completely bereft of ideas on the line and a captain more interested in fighting with the opposition than playing football against them, I don’t know how she wasn’t sent off, and ultimately Ireland got what they deserved. Why do the commentators on the women’s game not criticise one single aspect of the game, one appalling pass by an Irish girl led to Stephanie Roche blaming the fact it was drizzling in Dublin, atrocious commentary every single game, makes it hard to watch.
Got what they deserved. This is a very limited Irish side. Only showed a bit of urgency in the last 5 minutes when the game was done. Which is typical of Irish football in general. Wales are dreadful team also which just puts it’s into perspective even more so.
@Ray Ridge: you already commented the same sh/t£ above on your Aidan Farrell account Ray. Next thing you’ll start commenting to yourself hahaha
What has Diane Caldwell got to say now
@Don Buckley: . Great question and very timely.
Shocking miss from Leanne Kiernan at the end, that had to be put away. That’s the difference between qualifying for tournaments and not
@Jack Dooley: Great chance, just way too slow to get the shot away. That’s the difference between top players and not.
Wales seemed to want it more ,well done to them first major tournament qualified for.
Didn’t really deserve it to be honest. Never really got behind the Welsh defence and a couple of long range efforts aside did not threaten. Having said that the penalty was harsh especially as Wales seemed to do something similar in the second half.
Very poor defending for second goal.
Any suggestion that this team are playing better football under the current manager was scotched by the last 20 minutes Wimbledon lite.
Denise O’ Sullivan is absolute quality and deserves to play in major Tournaments. Katie McCabe was on the edge all Night but is still an inspiration. Ireland let down by lack of ideas from the line with Subs on way too late. New Contract will be given out to the Manager as this will be considered a success. Sad really
@Martin Scanlon: don’t think many would call that a successful tournament
Absolute muck. Ireland teams always manage to bottle it on the big ocassion let it be football or rugby.
Hayes too slow, Courtney has to save 2nd Welsh goal, it crawled in. Leanne had to score at the end, took too long.
@conor carroll: Brosnan was the keeper, not Courtney, but agreed… Last defender had a yard on her, should have stopped her in her tracks. Disappointed for the ladies, wanted them to win, but they simply weren’t good enough tonight
@Trevor McCormack: Courtney Brosnan.
Useless shower. 8 minutes of added time and all they could produce is two long throws. Lol. useless
The biggest sign of respect you can give the WNT is to rate them and judge them the same as you would the MNT and not to patronise them with fake positivity.
In that respect they have failed. McCabe was probably trying to be a Keano v Juve type inspiration today but she was not in control and let them all down.
Caldwell is entitled to say what she wants about Vera but she does leave herself open to being shot at if it goes wrong.
A lot of us knew Trapp played an overly structured style but we qualified for big tournaments and we accepted him for it. I can’t remember anyone saying it “ was despite Trapp” that we qualified. Caldwell now looks petty and amateurish with what she said.
Over 2 games we were hesitant, mistake ridden and ultimately were let down by players who promised more.
@Jack Kirwan: There’s no comparison, don’t bother trying.
@Jack Kirwan: first thing you said was not to compare them to the men. Then you made a comparison to the men. Pointless after that
@Trevor McCormack: I said it’s respectful to rate them the same as you would men. That’s what I was doing.
Who cares.
It’s just girls kicking ball, that’s all, cant be described as a controlled game of football. Made out to be something that its not. U-15 boys league football is superior, skill-wise. The basic ability to control a football and maintain basic balance seems to be missing from women’s football.