Jacob Loughnane watches his effort go over. Photograph: Ruth Griffin

Pressure of competing in the relegation series of the Clare SHC surpassed that of the county final for O’Callaghans Mills.

Beaten finalists in last year’s decider against Sixmilebridge, O’Callaghans Mills ended up in the relegation play-offs after failing to register a group win when competing with Clonlara, Inagh/Kilnamona, Kilmaley and Whitegate.

Securing victories in the second and third clashes of the relegation series against Clarecastle and Clooney/Quin was sufficient to see the Mills retain their senior status.

Manager, Donach O’Donnell said of their survival, “We’re just thrilled. It’s very emotional really, there was an awful lot of pressure on the group, so much so that it sometimes seemed a lot more pressure than when we were playing in the county final last year. So the group had to deal with expectations and after losing a number of matches, confidence was also low so I think there’s great credit due to our guys to dig out a result, in fact two results in the space of a week that kept us up”.

He was in no doubt as to what kept the East Clare side up in the top tier, “It was sheer character that got us through. I mean the weather conditions, the underfoot conditions, the wind, the hill, it was just really tough physically out there and we just about ground out the result in the end and just about deserved it too I feel.

“I think Jacob Loughnane’s scores and Cormac Murphy’s work-rate throughout really solidified a hungry performance from the lads. It gave us a platform and collectively they battled until the very end to literally get us over the line”.

Related News

cliffs of moher walk trail 3
North Clare farmers shocked by mention of CPOs on Cliffs of Moher walk report
cliffs of moher walk trail 5
Tobin Report recommends Council take full ownership of Cliffs of Moher walk & flags €460k per annum maintenance fees
abbey st car park 10-02-25 2
'Ye are losing the argument' & 'complete bunkum' - Ennis councillors clash on parking again
teddy o'hanlon helen downey paul hayes tj mcnamara sean ahern 1
Bank debt of €1m plus cleared by members of East Clare Golf Club

Advertisement

Latest News
Clare District Soccer League AGM 2022-5945
Meeting organised to discuss soccer calendar year
sean meade 1
Paradise prevails by more than dashboard light for Miltown's Meade
4
The summer gardening range has arrived in store
áine hensey 1
Hensey & Peoples announced as Gradam Ceoil winners
lahinch play in pink 1
Play in pink day at Lahinch Golf Club
Premium
Untitled design - 2
'Poetry freed me & gave me back my voice' - Twomey to facilitate latest Clare Poetry Collective workshop
lidl ennistymon 1
Lidl lodge appeal with An Bord Pleanála over Council refusing Ennistymon store
sorcha costelloe mary macnamara 1
'It’s very natural for us to play together because we have been doing it all our lives’ – Tulla mother daughter duo set for special concert in glór
scariff greenway 1
Limerick to Scariff Greenway 'gone very quite' & 'well behind schedule'
clare v limerick minor 18-04-24 graham ball 1
Clare minor hurlers looking to make their mark as championship commences

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement