Clare delighted to pit wits against former colleague

It wasn't the highest quality of football but Summerhill and their counterparts, Dunshaughlin produced an incredibly entertaining semi-final clash in Pairc Tailteann as David Clare’s side booked their spot in the Meath SFC final for the fifth time in the last 10 years.

Speaking to the Meath Chronicle at a media event held in Dunganny ahead of Sunday's final clash with Ratoath, Clare reflected on that enthralling semi-final and also explained why a certain dominant midfielder was missing from the match-day squad.

“It was an amazing battle. Some of our full-back line cleared over 15kph on the GPS, which is unheard of. The likes of Ben Moran and Iarla Hughes put in serious work. People accuse Iarla Hughes of being slow but when you see his GPS, he is actually the fastest player in the squad," mused Clare.

"In fairness to the Dunshaughlin lads, they never gave up. They have some giants out there in the likes of Conor Duke, Mathew Costello, Conor Gray and Charlie O’Connor. There was peaks and troughs.

"Adam Flanagan’s partner gave birth on Sunday morning so that ruled him out. Our ethos in the club is first and foremost family. It did mean that we had to change things. We found it hard to get primary possession but the lads adapted and found a way through it. They're experienced players and they found a way to win.”

Clare continued by explaining how crucial Flanagan is to Summerhill’s game plan and hence why the semi-final victory was so impressive.

“We have found a way that we want to play. Adam (Flanagan), the lord of the skies, is crucial to that so those plans got ripped up on the Sunday morning of the semi-final.

"All of our lads, including our bench have stepped up their game massively. We brought on seven lads in the semi who all have senior medals in their back pockets. In extra-time, we got better and that’s a real mark of the lads’ determination and resolve.”

Summerhill have not had the easiest path to the final and they had a massive scare in the group stage. Rian Early from Gaeil Colmcille came to Summerhill’s rescue when he blocked a last-minute goal chance for St Peter’s in the final round of the group stage to ensure the Hill scraped through on score difference.

“The group stages were about getting out without showing your hand too much. We really feared St Peter’s and they turned up that day against Kells and nearly did us.

"Skryne were very well-drilled and they were operating at 100% of their capabilities. We found them very tough. Kells are our bogey team. If we are flying or not, they always seem to up their game against us. It was a bit ironic that a save on the line from them against St Peter’s was the difference between us qualifying for the knock-outs or ending up in a relegation battle.” Heading up the opposing sideline for Ratoath this Sunday in the Meath SFC final will be Kerry legend Paul Galvin. Clare had high praise for Galvin having worked with him under Robbie Brennan at Kilmacud Crokes.

“I've worked with Paul (Galvin) before. Myself and himself worked with Crokes last year together. He was in charge of the attack and I was in charge of the defence. You can really see his set-up in the Ratoath team this year.

"Backs to the sideline, you can watch the two inside forwards and how they operate. It’s all very fluid. He used to talk about the three things that an inside forward can do on the spin. All the stuff that Kerry forwards do instinctively. He is a very good coach. The lads he’s dealing with are all top quality.

“He’s great to work with. I wouldn’t agree with his style clothes-wise all the time but his footballing knowledge is second to none and he is a great character.

"He is big on skills, right to left hand and how you operate without having to change hands. Those minute details make a huge difference when you are on the attack.

"It was always obvious that he was going to land a bigger role elsewhere and to go from contesting a county final with each other in Dublin to now 12 months later meeting in opposing dugouts in another county final is something else.”

This Sunday will be the third time in four years that Ratoath have met Summerhill in the Meath SFC final. Clare spoke about the fierce rivalry as well as the respect that both sides have for each other.

“Summerhill and Ratoath is a massive rivalry now. Our lads have come up against Ratoath in county finals before where they have won and lost. Of course, there is a huge rivalry there, but I think there is a mutual respect there because both clubs always rock up and find ways to get to county finals.

"Ratoath have a playing squad, not too dissimilar to ours, that includes a lot of dual players, and it’s a credit to all those lads as well that both Kiltale and Ratoath have gone so well in the hurling this year as well.”