THE BATTLE OF Shane O’Neill and Darach Honan is critical in my view.
Look back at the drawn match and Clare’s reason for not killing the game off to secure the victory, was the fact that they failed to register a goal.
It’s been a trait this summer in that they have not displayed enough of a goal threat in games.
Central to their ability to get goals today is Darach Honan. If you have a 6’7 guy inside in your forward line, are able to isolate him and can service him with quality ball, then the prospect of Clare hitting the net grows.
The reason that Clare did not profit as much from that outlet in the drawn game was the performance of Shane O’Neill. I thought he was extraodirnay. Here was a full-back looking at acres of space in front of him, which should have suited the forward.
But O’Neill, apart from that off-the-ball incident in the first-half, was terrific and he’s a really great defender. People criticized Honan after that game but he was not far it happening for him in front of goal.
A couple of opportunities materialized and if they do so again, he will need to take them as Clare need goals. Standing in his way is O’Neill and their collision promises to be fascinating.
