Tag Archives: cusack park

National Football League Division 2 Semi-Final Mayo 2-22 Clare 2-18 SO near and yet so far for Clare after a second-half recovery wasn’t sufficient to prevent Mayo from returning to Division 1 at the first attempt in Cusack Park this afternoon, reports Eoin Brennan. Ultimately, it will go down as a missed opportunity for Colm Collins’ side to bridge a two decade gap to Clare’s last appearance in the top flight after a rousing revival just fell short. After an encouraging start in which Eoin Cleary (2), Gavin Cooney, Cathal O’Connor and David Tubridy edged the Banner 0-5 to 0-3 in front by the ninth minute, Clare rather lost their way for the remainder of the half. Indeed, for the final 25 minutes of the opening period, Mayo were allowed to swiftly move through the gears to outgun their hosts by 2-10 to 0-03 for the remainder and soar 11 points clear by the break. Goals from Cillian O’Connor (Penalty) …

National Football League Division 2 Semi-Final (Extra-Time if Necessary) Clare v Mayo at Cusack Park Ennis, Sunday 1.45pm (Niall Cullen, Fermanagh) It’s 19 years since Clare were dining at the top table of the National League. That’s a statistic worth soaking in ahead of this veritable winner-takes-all showdown for a coveted place in Division 1 for 2022. Of course, with James Horan’s side off the back of an All-Ireland Final appearance as recently as December, a Clare victory won’t be expected or predicted but in truth, they won’t get a better opportunity to bridge that two decade gap and reclaim their place in the top tier. There have been close calls in recent years, no more so than last year when the Banner’s league status flitted between Divisions 1, 2 and 3 in a dramatic finale against Armagh. However, this time around, there’s no dependency on other teams or results, it’s a clearcut clash for the carrot of a place …

Clare will aim to bridge a 19-year gap to return to Division 1 for next year when they meet Mayo in Cusack Park, Ennis, on Sunday. Muireann Duffy spoke with Kilfenora’s Cian O’Dea There’s no question that the Clare footballers want to see the heights of Division 1. The only problem is Mayo are the team standing in their way. Despite the tall ask, Kilfenora’s Cian O’Dea remains resolute, the goals they set out to achieve at the start of the year remain firmly intact: “At training we really went through what we want, and said if we want this more than Mayo then we can do it. “Ever since Colm came in, that’s one of the main things he tries to push; leaving the jersey in a better place. Every day you go out you’re bringing the Clare jersey forward with you and you’re not bringing it back to Division 3 or 4. “You’re always moving forward, it’s all …

National Football League Division 2 South Round 3 Cork 0-22 Clare 1-18 CLARE enjoyed the rarified air of being victorious in defeat this afternoon after securing a National Football League Division 2 Semi-Final spot on score difference over opponents Cork in Cusack Park, reports Eoin Brennan. Level entering the final minute of additional time, Cork dug deep to obtain a last gasp winning point through John O’Rourke but ultimately it needed to be a goal if the Rebels were to leapfrog their hosts in the table after Clare, Cork and Kildare all finished on four points in the group standings. Essentially, Cork required a three point victory to prevent Clare from setting up a penultimate stage clash with Mayo for a place in Division 1 for 2022. It also meant that Clare’s Division 2 status was secured for a fifth consecutive season whereas last year’s Division 3 champions Cork will have to beat Westmeath to avoid dropping immediately back down …

Clare v Wexford at Cusack Park Ennis, Sunday 2pm (Shane Curley, Galway) Realistically, with away trips to senior sides Meath and Kerry to come in the coming weeks, this is Clare’s best chance to grab an early positive result and set their stall out for what could legitimately be a lucrative season ahead. Clare have been embroiled in some compelling battles with Wexford in recent seasons, most notably the 2018 group decider in Cahir that saw Fidelma Marrinan (3) and Laurie Ryan (2) raid for goals to power the Banner into the All-Ireland Quarter-Finals and the subsequent revenge mission twelve months later in the opening round when Wexford stunned their hosts with their own goalfest in Doonbeg. However, while Wexford failed to reach the business end of last year’s All-ireland Intermediate Championship for the first time since re-emerging to the grade as Junior champions in 2014, on the flip side, Clare were on the up after contesting a first semi-final …

With a first competitive outing as Clare Ladies’ Football Manager inexorably drawing closer, there is an understandable excitement and anticipation in Evan Talty’s voice ahead of a welcome Cusack Park National League showdown with Wexford this Sunday (2pm). A nine time County Senior Football champion with his native Kilmurry Ibrickane, Talty is more than comfortable in Clare headquarters and is also familiar with the Clare ladies football camp after answering the call from his cousin James Murrihy to get involved in the backroom team twelve months previously. Three lockdowns later and the hectic existence of an inter-county manager has suddenly hit home for Talty after an admittedly comfortable initial transition period. “I suppose I thought this inter-county management craic was very easy there as for the first couple of months [during lockdown] as I was saying ‘Jesus I don’t have to do anything.’ Joked Talty. “But I’ll tell you one thing, I’m really get a dose of reality now in …

National Football League Division 2 South Round 1 Clare 1-16 Laois 0-12 THERE was no grandstand finish in the second of Clare’s Cusack Park double-header after Colm Collins’ side eased to a commanding victory over Laois to commence their Division 2 campaign in ideal fashion this afternoon, reports Eoin Brennan. Leading from start to finish, Clare never loosened their grip on proceedings at any stage after wing-back Daniel Walsh completed the perfect debut with a top corner finish in the 27th minute for what was the only goal of the game. Indeed, the Kilmurry Ibrickane clubman finished with 1-2 while captain Eoin Cleary was equally as influential as his double figure tally included points from play, frees, a mark and even a superb lineball from the left wing to close out a comfortable opener. With the wind at their backs, Clare’s bright start of unanswered points through Cleary, Keelan Sexton and Cathal O’Connor was dampened by a hamstring injury for …

National Hurling League Division 1 Group B Round 2 Wexford 2-19 Clare 1-21 A DRAMATIC late turnaround saw Wexford snatch the spoils and ensure that Clare’s winless start continued in Cusack Park on Sunday, reports Eoin Brennan. Eight points clear entering the final quarter following strong attacking performances from Aidan McCarthy, Aron Shanagher and Cathal Malone, nothing but a home victory appeared on the cards. However, a straight red card for Liam Corry altered the momentum irrevocably as a buoyant Wexford sprung to life with 2-4 with reply to hit the front for the first time. To their credit, Clare did regain parity deep into injury-time thanks to a brace of Aidan McCarthy frees. But Wexford would have the final say when Rory O’Connor arrowed over a free in the left corner to secure the points. Clare will be disappointed to have lost their way, having bounced back from their defeat to Antrim to take the game to their Leinster …