The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
‘On the cusp of a wave of momentum’ is a phrase that could be attributed to either Clare or Derry at the moment, writes Eoin Brennan.
After all, this is easily the best start that Clare have had in their six seasons at Division 2 as they remain unbeaten after a rousing opening victory over Offaly and back-to-back away draws with Cork and Roscommon.
Table-toppers Derry can boast an even greater feat though as one would have to go back to before we ever knew about COVID-19 to find the last time that the Ulster side lost a National League tie.
A perfect run of ten consecutive victories have catapulted Rory Gallagher’s side from being a mid-table Division 3 side to the precipice of promotion back to the top tier.
Granted, seven of those wins were in Division 3 but it has given Derry the self-belief to hit the ground running so far back in Division 2, with commanding triumphs over Down, Offaly and Cork by an average of nine points.
Two of those were home wins, with the ten hour round trip to Ennis being Derry’s longest so far as they bid to secure their biggest scalp to date.
Indeed, the next two rounds will be pivotal to the race for promotion as all four unbeaten sides face each other in Round 5 when Clare travel to Galway and Roscommon welcome Derry to Dr. Hyde Park in a fortnight’s time.
Shane McGuigan, Conor Glass, and Niall Loughlin have been Derry’s chief protagonists so far and the Banner will require a bright start in order to clip their wings as the Ulster side haven’t yet had to chase down an opponent.
With one more victory arguably sufficient to rule out any relegation threat, a new-look Clare can afford to be bold and throw everything at finally gaining that elusive promotion to Division 1, the credentials of which will only be realised come Sunday evening.
Clare v Derry at Cusack Park Ennis, Sunday 1pm
Referee: Conor Lane, Cork)
