On The Field Performance
The Clare senior hurling team endured a poor 2007 failing to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Allianz National Hurling League. The division 1A campaign saw defeats to Wexford and Cork with the home win over Waterford the subsequent League and Munster champions the only highlight of a drab campaign.
On May 27, 2007 the Clare side lost by seven points to a more decisive and talented Cork in the Munster championship opening round game at Semple Stadium in Thurles, County Tipperary on a scoreline of 1-18 to 1-11.
The pre-match scuffle between these sides resulted in Clare eventually handed one month bans to Colin Lynch, Alan Markham, Andrew Quinn and Barry Nugent.
The Clare manager subsequently saw his side draw Laois, Antrim and Galway in the back-door qualifiers, which affords previously beaten teams in the championship another chance to prove themselves in the hurling championship series.
In Clare hurling's most glorious era when three Munster titles and two all-Ireland titles were secured between 1995 and 1998, Tony Considine served as selector to Ger Loughnane the Clare manager of the time.
Ger Loughnane was announced as Galway manager at the end of 2006 and the draw which pitted Clare his former team, against his new Galway charges drew huge interest and a large crowd to Cusack Park, Ennis on July 7, 2007 in the second of the backdoor qualifiers. Indeed the official declaration of an attendance of 14,000 drew laughter from many sections of the Ennis crowd that seemed much closer to 20,000 as they awaited the return of Ger Loughnane against his native county.
However a poor match ensued with Clare narrowly defeating Galway by 2-10 to 0-14 thanks to a goal in each half, first from Declan O'Rourke and in the second half from Niall Gilligan, which proved the difference between the two sides.
Previously Clare defeated Antrim at Casement park and following an unconvincing final qualifier win over Laois at O'Moore park in Portlaoise, Clare emerged top of group A to qualify for the quarter-final of the all-Ireland.
Clare were drawn to face 2007's surprise packages Limerick, the Munster finalists who had drawn huge praise following their enduring three game series with Tipperary in the Munster championship.
On July 29, 2007,Tony Considine served his final game in charge of Clare as their near neighbours Limerick proved far too strong to end the Clare team's championship hopes with Andrew O'Shaughnessy proving his credentials in the Limerick attack as one of the game's bright new talents to inspire Richie Bennis's side to an all-Ireland semi-final appearance against Waterford. Limerick defeating Clare.
which Limerick eventually won after a classic encounter to reach the all-Ireland final against current champions Kilkenny.
Limerick's passion, work ethic and team spirit in contrast to Clare who fielded Gerry Quinn at centre half-back despite carrying a very serious knee injury picked up against Galway in the qualifiers.
Read more about this topic: Tony Considine
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