Preview: SFC qualifier: Clare v Kildare
July 19, 2014
Rival managers Jason Ryan and Colm Collins.
The Lilywhites hit the Mourne County for 1-6 without reply in the last 15 minutes and manager Jason Ryan, for one, was delighted with the 1-18 to 0-11 result.
"I thought Kildare were excellent," he remarked. "I thought the level of intensity that they brought to the game was far superior to what they brought to the last game, so I am delighted with it. It's a good boost for the team."
Their reward is a trip to Ennis this evening for a clash against Clare side and, unsurprisingly, Ryan and his selectors have stuck with the same starting 15.
Ciaran Fizpatrick (corner-back) and Gary White (midfield) hold on to their places ahead of Michael Foley and Sean Hurley respectively while captain Eoghan O'Flaherty is preferred to Paddy Brophy at top of the left.
Whatever happens today, Clare footballers have already enjoyed a year to remember in securing promotion to Division 3 and running Kerry close in the Munster SFC.
Colm Collins' charges showed no mercy to Carlow last weekend to advance to the last 16.
"The home draw was important," the Banner boss observed. "We were going to be playing a decent side at this stage anyway, so the important thing was that we got the home draw. Hopefully, we'll have a good crowd there and we'll put in a good display and, hopefully, get the win."
Verdict - Kildare.
Clare team: Joe Hayes; Shane Hickey, Kevin Harnett, Martin McMahon; Jamie Malone, Gordon Kelly, Ciaran Russell; Gary Brennan, Shane McGrath; Sean Collins, Enda Coughlan, Padraic Collins; David Tubridy, Shane Brennan, Rory Donnelly.
Kildare team: Mark Donnellan; Ciaran Fitzpatrick, Hugh McGrillen, Ollie Lyons; Emmet Bolton, Fergal Conway, Keith Cribbin; Tommy Moolick, Gary White; Cathal McNally, Niall Kelly, Padraig O'Neill; Eamonn Callaghan, Padraig Fogarty, Eoghan O'Flaherty.
Match details: Saturday, Cusack Park, Ennis, 7pm, extra-time playable.
Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan).
Odds: Clare 10/3, Draw 9/1, Kildare 2/7. Tweet
