Clare need win to keep promotion dream alive

Eoin Brennan looks ahead to Clare’s National Football League Division 2 Round 5 clash away to Galway in Tuam Stadium tomorrow at 2pm

IF Clare are to have any hope of reaching the promised land of promotion to the top tier, they need to take down neighbours Galway on on Sunday.

While meetings with the Tribesmen have been rare, anything less than a victory would put an end to the Banner’s aspirations upwards and would leave them having to look over their shoulders for the final two basement scraps with current strugglers Meath and Down.

Padraic Joyce’s Galway have enjoyed a perfect start to life back in Division 2 alongside Derry but with Roscommon poised to pounce upon any slip-ups, their Connacht derby final round meeting could well be a winner-takes-all promotion decider.

Clare should be in the mix too after their best start to Division 2 under Colm Collins. However, following encouraging displays against Offaly and away draws with both Cork and Roscommon, Clare were given a timely reality check last time out against Derry on home soil.

Outscored by 2-7 to 0-5 in the second period, it was a deflating finish that should generate a stern Banner backlash in Tuam on Sunday.

Galway will be understandable favourites but there have been chinks appearing in their armoury in recent weeks. Early clean sheets against Meath and Down have been soiled by subsequent goalrushs from Cork (2) and Offaly (3).

John Maughan’s side in particular caused Galway problems when running at them so having conceded an average of eight points in their first two outings, the Tribesmen have upped that to 3-12 per match in the most recent two games.

Clare haven’t exactly been free-scoring themselves as while they’ve only leaked three goals so far after four matches, they’ve only managed to score two at the other end.

With Sean Kelly and Damien Comber leading the line for Galway, Clare will require an improvement in that area if they are to leave Tuam with a positive result.

Indeed, with their backs to the wall in terms of a do-or-die crossroads in the division, Colm Collins will learn a lot about his squad’s readiness for championship fare on Sunday.

Referee: Conor Lane, Cork