*Cian Galvin receives instructions from Brian Lohan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
SUCCESSIVE defeats in the Allianz National Hurling League have reigning champions Clare as potential relegation contenders.
Eoin Brennan dishes out the player rating following Clare’s seven point loss to Galway.
16. Éamonn Foudy
Left exposed for both first half goals in the space of only a few minutes where he could do little or nothing to prevent them. Having only two minutes previously somehow kept out a point blank Conor Whelan shot with his foot, overall Foudy, making his competitive bow for 2025, did little wrong as he swept up well, even cutting out an early goal chance for Whelan while varying his distribution and puck-outs.
Rating: 7
2. Ian Macnamara
lt was a real welcome to senior inter-county hurling opening period as the Killanena defender, only in his second ever senior start, was blitzed by Galway senior starting debutante Anthony Burns who fired 2-2 of his 2-3 tally in a scorching first half.
Simply couldn’t get to grips with the Loughrea poacher and would be switched onto Evan Niland after the second goal. Did fare better in the second half.
Rating: 5
5. Darragh Lohan
Had a great tussle with Galway captain Conor Whelan and was unfortunate to just lose his footing for the second goal as Whelan benefited to play in Anthony Burns for a second major. Was immediately moved onto Burns after that and did curb his influence, only to be withdrawn in first half injury-time amidst contentious circumstances when seemingly struck in the midriff in a tussle with his new marker.
Rating: 6
4. Adam Hogan
Came in at the eleventh hour for the injured Conor Leen and in his first inter-county action of the new season, looked back to his battling best when going toe-to-toe with Even Niland who invariably played a free role between the half and full-forward lines. The 2024 National young Hurler of the Year ssumed the full-back berth in a Banner reshuffle following the two goal blitz, limiting Conor Whelan to a solitary point
Rating: 7
7. Cian Galvin
Arguably Clare’s most consistent defender over their two match series so far which demonstrates a maturity and composure initially shown in last July’s All-Ireland finale. Indeed, while his pinged deliveries down the right flank are a forward’s dream down, the Magpie should have been tried in the centre-back role as he seemed a more natural fit due to his sweeping abilities. Only downside is that after a superb opening point, he perhaps should have at least doubled his tally.
Rating: 7
6. Ross Hayes
Relishing the opportunity to stake his claim for a place in the team, the versatile Crusheen player has performed well in an attempt to assume the number six role. Inadvertently however, tends to concentrate more on marking a man than his his territory which when invariably pitted against a roving opponent, often leave gaps down the centre. Needs to work on supplyline too as deliveries are often high and aimless but did win an early free that Aidan McCarrhy converted.
Rating: 6
17. Jack O’Neill
Is fitting in well to the top flight and will benefit greatly from another full senior appearance especially in a new position at wing-back. Scored a much-needed point on the run after a great offload by Patrick Crotty at the start of the second period and overall the Clooney-Quin man was not short of possession throughout. The only issue was his distribution as he tended to go long instead of working the ball out of defence which was more hit and hope than placed.
Rating: 6
8. Ryan Taylor
Only his second start in a Clare jersey in over 18 months and overall mixed the very good with some frustrating elements. Showed his true strengths with the opening point from a surging run and added a second from the right wing entering the second quarter. However, his marker Cianan Fahy was even more influential and meant that Taylor did give away a few frees, one of which earned him a yellow card just after half-time.
Rating: 6
21: Paddy Donnellan
Deservedly merited a midfield berth after an energetic cameo off the bench against Kilkenny that included a brace of points. Wasn’t as impactful from the start, despite an early burst that teed Keith Smyth up for a first minute goal chance. Despite battling around the centre, setting up a point for McCarthy and expertly dispossessing Jason Flynn, equally found Tom Monaghan difficult to track too. Was withdrawn entering the final quarter for Tony Kelly.
Rating: 6
9. Cathal Malone
Placed at wing-forward as a strong option of being a primary ball winner and did well in that regard against rookie wing-back Cillian Trayers. However, his physical presence was sorely missed in midfield and it was surprising that he wasn’t switched into the engine room at any stage. Consequently he only had a limited effectiveness but did win two valuable first half free that were both converted by Aidan McCarthy.
Rating: 6
10. Patrick Crotty
Definitely one of the brighter sparks of the National League campaign so far as the Scariff man is a key primary ball winning option and was again influential on Saturday evening setting up three points for others along with scoring two of his own. Had a tough battle with Gavin Lee though who wasn’t afraid to bomb forward at every opportunity either. However, with a bit more consistency Crotty could well be a valuable championship option.
Rating: 6
12. Sean Rynne
Considered to be a big season for the Inagh-Kilnamona star but perhaps could do with a shake-up in positioning as was again on the periphery of the tie rather than embroiled in the epicentre of the attacking action. Did tee up fellow half-forward Patrick Crotty for his two first quarter points but was light on shots of his own up against an experienced leader such as Padraic Mannion and would be eventually replaced at the turn of the final quarter by Colm O’Meara.
Rating: 6
20. Aidan McCarthy
A first start and a very welcome and evidently much-needed addition to a relatively inexperienced attack as Clare’s top championship scorer from 2024 simply picked up where he left off with a dominant display. Overall, scored eleven points and converted eight out of nine frees, the ninth being a monster one from his own half. Was a key target when inside but equally as effective as a roving corner-forward and easily Clare’s best performer on a disappointing evening.
Rating: 8
18. Keith Smyth
Similar to Paddy Donnell, his two point surge off the bench got him a start but while the Killanena marksman wasn’t short of chances, he somehow failed to get on the scoresheet as two different Burkes Daithi and Fintan frustrated him all evening. Perhaps nerves got the better of him as Smyth’s decision-making was uncharacteristically off, twice pulled for over-carrying and also twice blocked down. Had a glorious goal chance in the opening minute too that was saved.
Rating: 5
15. David Reidy
A bit subdued in the opening half aside from setting up Aidan McCarthy for his first score from play. However, was back to his menacing best on the turnover, providing the biggest resistance up from to Galway’s healthy cushion. Scored two third quarter points including a beauty from the left corner and was fouled for another that McCarthy arrowed over. However, was ploughing a rather lonely furrow outside of the Inagh-Kilnamona man.
Rating: 6
Subs:
24. Rory Hayes
Was sprung from the bench just before the break when Darragh Lohan was unable to continue and did offer some stability to a previously under pressure last line, Had a great battle with Anthony Burns who having raided for 2-3 in the opening period, would fail to get any change out of the Wolfe Tones defender.
Rating: 6
14: Aron Shanagher
Provides a completely unique challenge to any full-back line and was a worthy addition to Clare’s attack after being introduced for Keith Smyth with just over twenty minutes to go. Didn’t get on the scoresheet himself but physically proved a handful for Fintan Burke as along with getting a yellow, he also set up Aidan McCarthy and Tony Kelly for points.
Rating: 6
19. Colm O’Meara
A first senior competitive appearance of 2025 but got nothing easy from Padraic Mannion who actually outscored his marker in the final quarter. O’Meara had a shot just off target himself but needs more game-time to potentially make his mark
Rating: 5
25. Tony Kelly
The welcome sight of Tony Kelly coming off the bench at the start of the final quarter was a key bright spark on a dull evening. Took a while to get into the game but finished with winning a free for McCarthy to score before getting off the mark for 2025 himself with final score of the night.
Rating: 6
23. David Conroy
Having impressed in Clare’s opening tie against Kilkenny, the Parish attacker surprisingly only got ten minutes to impress this time around as by then the game was gone. Will inevitably get further and longer opportunities.
Rating: 5
