Tag Archives: Clare senior footballers

What a time to be a Clare supporter! As Brian Lohan’s men continue to show the grit and determination that were a hallmark of the full back’s own career, the Clare footballers are looking to secure back to back Championship wins in Croke Park. Although that prospect seemed unlikely when falling short against Limerick in the Munster Championship, Colm Collins’ side have regrouped and after a mesmerising comeback against Roscommon, they now stand on the brink of reaching the final four. With Ulster champions Derry standing in their way, Clare will enter as underdogs. Ciarán Russell is aware the task at hand is a difficult one but he hopes that his side can build upon the hurlers’ recent success and give the county’s supporters another day out in GAA HQ after this Saturday. “There is a lot of crossover between clubs so I’d know a few of the lads. I’m delighted to see them do well. It’s great for the …

When Tomás Ó Sé bowed out of inter-county football after 16 seasons in 2013 he wrote a retirement article in the Irish Examiner that finished with the immortal line of, ‘I went as hard as I could for as long as I could’. You couldn’t want any more from a player. Over. And. Out. Goodbye to the Hill. It’s a line and attitude to this sporting life that many aspire to, but most mere mortals lack the iron will to carry it through, live by it, do it every time, and eventually die by it, with their boots on in a final valedictory stand. This Clare football team does it, because of what they have, what they give and then the way they go and give some more. Always. It’s what has been bred into them by Colm Collins since 2014; it’s their DNA; it’s their default setting and what they’re microchipped for and it’s all they know. All of …

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 may never have won a championship match in Croke Park but they do have a perfect record against Roscommon after seeing off the Connacht side in a qualifier in Salthill in 2016. Coincidentally, that victory qualified the Banner for their last Croke Park appearance, an All-Ireland Quarter-Final against Kerry that didn’t quite live up to its heightened all-Munster rematch billing. Indeed, throughout their 28 match qualifier record (12 victories and 16 defeats), the biggest scalp Clare have taken over that 22 year span was against Roscommon in that sole clash that saw them comfortably prevail by 2-12 to 1-9. After all, Roscommon were just off the back of contesting the National League Division 1 Semi-Final against Kerry and had only been edged out of provincial honours after a final replay against Galway. Six years on and Clare only possess seven survivors from that memorable day and pitch invasion (Cian O’Dea, Cathal O’Connor, Jamie Malone, Keelan Sexton, Pearse Lillis, David …

Clare certainly like to give their supporters value for money. I mean it would have been very boring had the Banner only built upon their seven point first half cushion and running out comprehensive winners with the wind at their backs for the second period. Manager Colm Collins could see also see the humorous side to getting over the line for what was their first ever championship victory over Meath. “We’ve had a bad time with them haven’t we?” quipped the Cratloe clubman immediately afterwards. “I think we played them five times since I’ve got involved and hadn’t won but the last day we played them here in Cusack Park during the league I thought we were a lot closer. So I was optimistic today but by God did we make hard work of it. “Listen, the bottom line is that it’s great to be in the hat on Monday, that’s the most important thing but overall I don’t think …

Clare will face Roscommon in the second round of the All Ireland SFC qualifiers. It will be a second meeting of the sides in 2022, after they played out a 0-9 to 0-9 draw in Division Two of the National League in Hyde Park. The game is set to be played in Croke Park next Saturday with throw-in at 3.45. Colm Collins’ side progressed through to this stage after ending their hoodoo against Meath, when downing the Royals 1-11 to 1-9, as late scores from Keelan Sexton and Manus Doherty edged Clare over the line. Roscommon enter the contest having lost just one game all year between league and Championship, that being a Connacht final reversal against Galway. Anthony Cunningham’s side didn’t hit the levels they expected of themselves in Salthill and will be keen to ensure their year doesn’t end in a whimper. This clash will evoke memories of 2016, as Clare beat Roscommon to seal a quarter final …

It’s been a long five weeks for Colm Collins and the Clare senior footballers, writes Joes Garry. The fact that Clare were history makers as party to the championship’s first penalty shoot-out will have offered little consolation as Limerick made good on their victory, and have since secured a place in the last 12- all be it on the back of a fairly chastening experience last Saturday. Colm & Co. have been long enough on the road to know that that first round display will be nowhere near good enough on Saturday next. The intervening period will have diluted the agonising manner of that defeat, but will, no doubt, act as a reminder of the unforgiving nature of the championship , if chances are not availed of. Therein lies Saturday’s biggest challenge. Clare, as always, will bring an honesty of endeavour but will need to complement same with far greater guile, particularly in front of goal. The 1-14 last day …

While the Clare senior hurlers have been riding on the crest of a wave of momentum so far, their footballing equivalents have contrastingly had to rebuild from the ground up once more over the past five weeks following a period of introspection. Limerick’s historic penalty shoot-out victory over Colm Collins’ side may have provided unprecedented entertainment but such an agonising exit from the Munster Championship was a difficult pill to swallow as the Cratloe clubman admitted this week. “Initially it was a frustrating experience to lose a game in that manner but after we spent the requisite amount of time mourning, I think we woke up to the fact that we were still in the championship and that there was a fantastic opportunity ahead and we had to embrace it. “So I think once lads got that into their heads, things picked up again and have been very positive over the last few weeks so I think they’re in a …