Clare hoping to keep the Faith-ful

Allianz Football League Division 3 Round 3
Offaly v Clare at Glenisk O’Connor Park Tullamore, Sunday 2pm (James Molloy, Galway)

There’s no need for Mark Fitzgerald or Seanie Buckley to script any motivational speech for this Sunday’s return to National League action in Tullamore. Nothing to do with their hosts Offaly, more an inevitable need to itch a scratch caused by the injustice of their last outing on away soil against Mullingar a fortnight ago.
What initially seemed and has been since proven to have been a legitimate Cormac Murray match-winning goal was agonisingly ruled out for a perceived square ball by referee David Murnane, a bitter pill for Fitzgerald and his new-look Banner to have to stomach.
Every cloud has a silver lining though and unquestionably Clare will be fired up to redress the balance and get themselves back into the promotion mix albeit still without three of their most experienced leaders as captain Cillian Brennan, midfielder Darragh Bohannon and versatile defender Cillian Rouine are still in recovery mode.
They are not the only ones with a point to prove though as hosts Offaly, following narrow reverses to Westmeath and Antrim, are in danger of being in a relegation dogfight rather than their perceived scrap for promotion.
With Declan Kelly, manager of that famed 2021 All-Ireland Under 20 winning side, taking the reins at senior level this year, hopes had initially been high that the county could finally blossom at senior level. However, back-to-back defeats puts the Faithful on the precipice of being out of promotion contention, something that would be guaranteed with a Clare win.
That gives Clare an opportunity as getting on top of their hosts early could well initiate a pressure-cooker atmosphere on and off the field. It’s almost must-win for both sides though as Clare crave the points just as badly to stay in touch of the top.