*Members of the Clare U20 hurling panel. Photograph: Joe Buckley
CLARE’S U20 hurling manager has stressed his players have little time to wallow in defeat.
A concession of 1-01 without reply at the beginning and end of Wednesday’s clash with Limerick proved to be Clare’s downfall. They welcome Cork to O’Garney Park in Sixmilebridge on this coming Wednesday, needing nothing short of a win if they’re to make the provincial semi-finals.
Speaking following Clare’s one point loss, manager Terence Fahy voiced his admiration with the challenge put up by the players in saffron and blue. “I’m very proud of the team, the way they came and represented themselves and the county tonight, they played with great spirit, great discipline and they went at it from the start, they are devastated inside. Limerick took their chances, we didn’t, we had chances and we left the few chances behind, Limerick were that bit more clinical”.
“Limerick got the 1-01 in the opening minute and 1-01 at the end, that’s what a good team will do, they won’t give up and will stay going. Our lads played with great spirit, it didn’t knock them back, they are very honest players, they have trained very well, there’s lots of character in the group, they will have to make another step and rebound to get themselves back up fairly fast because the championship is on again in seven nights time against Cork”.
With such a strong wind at TUS Gaelic Grounds, life was not easy for the players on the field, he highlighted. “The conditions were ferocious out there, there was a ferocious wind, you wouldn’t have a concept for that bar you were out on the field, it was a huge storm, a storm-force wind which blew straight down the field in the Gaelic Grounds which really makes it a game of two halves. It was a huge challenge for our lads there at half time, after a bad start they grinded back into the game and played some great hurling”.
