Clare footballers to face Derry in All-Ireland quarter-finals

Clare’s reward for reaching the quarter finals for the first time since 2016 is a clash against Derry.

The draw was made this morning on RTE, with the winners facing the victors in the tie between Galway and Armagh.

Exact dates and start times for the tie are yet to be confirmed by the GAA, although the quarter finals will be played over the weekend of June 25-26.

Colm Collins’ side will face the Ulster champions after they secured a famous win over Roscommon in Croke Park on Saturday.

Jamie Malone kicked the winning score as Clare produced a defiant late comeback to beat a shell shocked Roscommon side.

Anthony Cunningham’s charges led by five points after 68 minutes but an Eoin Cleary effort cut the lead to four points. Keelan Sexton stepped up to convert a penalty after Gavin Cooney was felled.

Sexton arrowed over a free to level the game before Malone’s late winner sparked joyous scenes among Clare fans.

Colm Collins’ men reached the All Ireland quarter finals in 2016 after overcoming Roscommon in a Round Four qualifier. That year they were pitted against a familiar foe in Kerry with the Kingdom reigning supreme, winning 2-16 to 0-11, after goals from Donnachadh Walsh and Darran O’Sullivan.

These sides met in Division Two of the Allianz Football League this Spring with Derry emerging 2-13 to 0-10 winners.

The fitness of Cillian Brennan will be vital to Clare’s cause as the full back missed the qualifiers wins over Meath and Roscommon with a hamstring complaint.

In the other games, Galway will face an Armagh side that downed both Tyrone and Donegal in the All Ireland qualifiers. Meanwhile, in the bottom half of the draw, Dublin will face a Cork side that beat Limerick on Sunday.

In a repeat of the Division One League Final, Kerry will face old rivals Mayo in the final quarter final.

All Ireland Quarter Final Draw
Galway v Armagh
Derry v Clare
Dublin v Cork
Kerry v Mayo

Galway or Armagh v Derry or Clare
Kerry or Mayo v Dublin or Cork