Tag Archives: Clare senior football

As the minor championship trophy was given to Ennistymon, what joint captain Oisin Vaughan said had ramifications far beyond the confines of the grandstand in Hennessy Memorial Park where the handover took place. His few words, and it only needed a few, spoke of the grand ambition amongst everyone associated with the North Clare Magpies. By way of background, the county final win in 2011 bookended a glorious run at minor level for the club – it started in 2007 when they beat Kilmurry Ibrickane in the county final in Miltown and culminated with this 2-13 to 1-7 win over Kilmihil. In between they’d been beaten in the finals of 2008 (Cratloe), 2009 (Lissycasey), 2010 (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield), but the fact that they’d reached five successive finals on the bounce was something no other club in Clare came close to achieving. No wonder, Oisin Vaughan articulated this grand ambition when he said: ‘We’re going to win a senior championship’. And, …

With Corofin having edged out Kilrush Shamrocks 0-9 to 0-8 on Thursday evening, Eoin Brennan previews the rest of this weekend’s football action Cusack Cup Round 3 Kildysart v St Joseph’s Miltown at Kildysart, Saturday 2pm Two sides poised in mid-table that depending on this result will be either back in contention for Cusack Cup honours or looking over their shoulder at the dreaded return of relegation danger. Of course, it’s a senior versus intermediate tie but Kildysart, outside of intermediate final stumbling blocks, have invariably performed more as a senior side these past few years and will be determined to maintain their top flight status. Ten points separated the sides in Miltown’s favour ten months ago but Kildysart now at home, this rare meeting will be much closer. Clondegad v Ennistymon at Ballynacally, Saturday 4pm With the spoils shared equally in recent seasons, this will be seen as a keen barometer for two sides hoping to better their lot …

Michael O’Connor reports as the Banner get a reality check from Derry in the Allianz football league round 4 clash DERRY……………….2-13 CLARE……………..0-10 Derry are being mentioned in footballing quarters since the beginning of the season as a side that could reasonably be considered as a side to watch come June and July. This viewpoint was franked with a ultra-professional performance against a Clare side who suffered from errors and a dearth of scoring potential when required most. An official attendance of 1,478 with a sizable minority from Derry saw Rory Gallagher’s side score a win that may send them into division 1 of the league in 2023. Clare now definitely need one big result in the remaining three games even with Cork and Offaly looking as if division three awaits. The winner of the Cork/Offaly tie might have a lifeline if teams slightly above them begin to falter Operating with 15 inside their own 45 yard and attacking with speed …

Although John Maughan is firmly focused on helping Offaly raid Cusack Park this Sunday afternoon, the former Clare manager admits he holds a special bond with the county he will be trying to overcome, writes Ivan Smyth. Maughan guided Clare to the All Ireland B Championship in 1991 before 12 months later he was at the helm for arguably Clare football’s greatest day as they beat Kerry in the Munster final. The Offaly manager is full of praise for the side he managed and the current crop of players. “I have great affection for Clare. It was the players who made me look good. The gene pool in Clare is fantastic. They are hard, tough, honest and give every last ounce. “Sometimes you hear of inter county players retiring and they may have regrets over not giving everything but you could never say that about a Clare hurler or footballer. They get every last ounce out of themselves. I’d have …

With Clare starting a sixth successive year in Division Two, the goal remains the same, writes Ivan Smyth – a seat at the top table. ONE word sums up the hopes of Clare football fans as Colm Collins’ side seek to test themselves against the very best teams in Ireland – promotion. With Collins at the helm for a ninth season, Clare have continued to make strides and were a win away from making the giant leap to Division One last year before falling to a four point defeat to eventual All Ireland finalists Mayo. Galway, Meath, Cork and Derry are considered the favourites for promotion before a ball has been kicked in anger. However, despite Collins claiming that Clare not being placed among the favourites for promotion is irrelevant to how he will prepare his side, there is a sense that Collins and his team would enjoy nothing more than to upset the odds. “We completely ignore the outside …

James McConigley speaks to Emmet McMahon about the highs and lows of last year and his hopes for this year 2021 was a real mixed bag for Emmet McMahon. The 21-year-old enjoyed fantastic highs and crushing lows. From the heartbreak of Kildysart conceding two late smash and grab goals and ultimately falling short to Corofin in the Clare Intermediate Final to capturing a landmark first U-21A championship, then joint-captaining Cill Cúl Gaels only seven weeks later and registering a 1-10 to 0-08 victory over Éire Óg, the Kildysart native had a rollercoaster time of it. And so begins another year with a jam-packed football season in store. Now in his third year of Physical Education and Maths at the University of Limerick, McMahon is enjoying his chosen course. Speaking to the Clare Champion he said, “The course solely revolves around sport and it’s a great help with the fitness and that side of things. I had a huge interest in …