Clarke braced for "biggest challenge"
October 17, 2014
Paul Clarke in charge of Meath club Donaghmore Ashbourne.
Former Dublin star Paul Clarke views Sunday's Meath SFC final against Navan O'Mahony's as the acid test for his Donaghmore /Ashbourne charges.
The 1995 All-Ireland winner, who has led Donaghmore /Ashbourne to their first Keegan Cup decider since 1943 in his first season as manager, told the Irish Independent: "When you think of Meath clubs you think of Navan O'Mahonys in the same way people think of St Vincent's in Dublin.
"Some of their players are household names. It's certainly our biggest challenge."
Clarke is playing down the Dublin-border outfit's chances, despite them knocking out holders Summerhill and last year's runners-up Na Fianna in an unbeaten run to the final.
"To be fair, they both played until late in the season last year so maybe they weren't back at their best by that stage. And I think our lads were finished in maybe August. So they had a good break," he continued.
"The fact that it wasn't a great season last year, it helped get the lads into the right frame of mind. They buy into your methods quite quickly.
"I'm only really getting to know them now but they are a great bunch."
