AT THE OUTSET of the 2016 season, Aron Shanagher received his call up papers.
He hadn’t come from Clare All-Ireland winning underage teams like other recent Banner prospects but his attacking talent was plain to see.
“I remember Davy ringing me one night and I was shaking.
“I went down and told the parents and they were like, ‘Are you sure you’re going to go for it?’ And I just said, ‘I have to’.
“And then walking into the dressing-room the first day and you see the likes of Tony Kelly, Brendan Bugler, Shane O’Donnell and all of those lads.
“They were my heroes and still are, so it definitely was surreal.”
Fresh out of the minor ranks, he quickly thrived at senior level last summer, most notably in blasting home a hat-trick in a qualifier game against Laois.
He hasn’t lost his goalscoring habits this year, as evidenced by a crucial strike against Dublin in April’s relegation play-off.
This year Clare are working under new management but Shanagher has not forgotten the man that gave him his senior break.
“Davy really changed my game, to be honest. I would have looked up to Davy as a player and as a manager just winning All-Irelands.
“When I got to work with him he really did change my game. He definitely gave me more confidence. He pushed me at times as well, but it definitely helped me out big time.
“When someone like Davy Fitz tells you that you can do it, then you’re going to believe him. I think that’s how it worked for me anyway.
“It’s good the way Donal (Moloney) and Gerry (O’Connor) have come through onto the senior set-up. I would have worked with Donal last year with the U21′s, and even Gerry we would have worked with him in the club.
“It’s nice being able to chat to the people as they come in when you already know them. You can chat to them as a friend if you want to.”
Limerick on Sunday represent the first championship obstacle to surmount in a second season where the Wolfe Tones man is determined to make his mark.
“Last year I would have been the new guy and you’re trying to make your place and everything and get to know the lads.
“This year it’s easier because you’d be good friends with a lot of the players now. I suppose that gives you confidence in itself.
“I’ll be definitely be looking forward to it. Growing up at U-16 and minor, I just never settled for being on the bench.
“I always had a mindset that I had to be in the team, so I just pushed myself and pushed myself and thankfully it worked out for me.”
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Just get Crowley back, he hasn’t played since September and during the RWC got maybe 70mins total ?
@Owen ODonoghue: you don’t think he needs a mental break after the World Cup? What about his training load since pre season? It’s not just about game time.
@Pierce O’Hehir: Reckon if you asked him he’d prefer to play….
@Owen ODonoghue: long season ahead.
@Owen ODonoghue: could not agree more. Carbery has already probably more minutes this season. It’s completely insane. He’s played 30 mins since Sept 23rd. He’s 22. Get him playing.
Give Butler game time. No harm. We know what we get with RS, who is not a long-term option at 10, and I’d hate to lose Frisch’s ability at 13 where he is first choice. If Carbery is injured, then why wouldn’t we give youth a chance?
@Brenda Collins: Something tells me there are going to be more competitive matches in the URC this year- not many occasions to give some young lad a ‘run’, especially as you’re champions with a target on your backs in every game.
@Brenda Collins: agree completely Brenda
@Brenda Collins: Butler looks like a decent player, obviously green but with a nice touch and not afraid to attack the line, hope in a situation like this they back him.
please play Daly at 13, thank you.
There needs to be some sort of loan system introduced between provinces. Someone like Charlie Tector at Leinster is going to be very limited in terms of playing time, while Munster will struggle during the six nations should Carbery rediscover his best form and get selected along with Crowley
@philip kelly: I don’t think Munster will have to worry about having two Out Halves away during the 6N.
@David Finn: what if both are unavailable for selection?
@David Finn: Why not?
@David Finn: I’d imagine it’s a distinct possibility. If joey is going well it’d be very easy to see him bypass Ross byrne
@munsterman: or Ross Byrne could be injured at 6 nations time. Could mean Carbery and Crowley both in the Ireland camp. Or R Byrne could stay fit but one of the two Munster flyhalfs is injured with the other in Ireland camp. Unless there’s a surprise pick (Carty, Burns comeback, one of the younger flyhalfs selected) it looks like any injury at flyhalf and Munster are out of specialists in that position.
@Kevin Volf: it’d be nice to still have Ben healy
@munsterman: Or Flannery.