*Keelan Sexton is outnumbered but breaks through the Kildare wall. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
SUCCESSIVE WINS to raise the pulses and heart rates has Clare in fourth place of Division 3 but with an extra game to play, Páraic McMahon examines the performances of Clare’s footballers in their latest victory over Kildare.
Back in May 2021, it was a goal from Joe McGann on the fifty first minute when Clare defeated Kildare 1-13 0-13 in Newbridge to keep their promotion hopes to Division 1 of the Allianz National Football League.
On this Sunday in March 2025, it was Keelan Sexton with a major on seventy two minutes which saw Clare overcome Kildare 2-12 0-16 in Ennis, a result which keeps their bid to be promoted to Division 2 of the League alive.
Sexton was Clare’s star performer but there was a strong cast around him as Clare picked up their third win in succession.
1: Eamon Tubridy (Doonbeg)
A second clean sheet in four games for Eamon but he did a lot more than keep the ball out of the net on this occasion. His saves were very important though, the first on thirty four minutes when he got down well to make a vital stop from Alex Beirne which helped Clare maintain their six point half time advantage. On forty eight minutes, it was Kevin Feely that he denied, this stop coming as Kildare had reduced the gap to three points. Throughout the contest, he was composed and calmly dealt with three dangerous dropping balls from Kildare attacks.
Rating: 8
4: Manus Doherty (Éire Óg)
With Darragh Swords getting the curly finger on twenty eight minutes, it clearly demonstrated that Manus was on top and had completely dominated his battle with the Carragh clubman. Made two important first half blocks to prevent goal-scoring opportunities, including one on the ninth minute when he got in way of Niall Kelly’s attempt. Had an important role to play in Clare’s first goal as it was the Éire Óg man who started the move all the way in front of the new scoreboard at the Cloister end when he won the initial turnover to kick start the move.
Rating: 8
3: Cillian Brennan (Clondegad)
Not overly prominent but Cillian didn’t have to be. The captain had his hands full with Kevin Feely and he’ll be happy and rightly so to have limited Kildare’s star man to a point from play. Linked up well with his teammates and was quick to pounce on breaking ball. Overall he did little wrong over the course of the game but apart from keeping tabs on Feely, he wasn’t as busy as he has been.
Rating: 6
2: Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon)
His cousins struggled with the conditions of ‘The Toughest Tribe’ as they ran through bogs, rivers and fields for Kilmaley GAA’s novel fundraiser but there was no stopping Cillian when he mounted a tremendous gallop to tee up Eoin Cleary for Clare’s first goal on sixteen minutes. It was a familiar journey for the primary school teacher as it was also a memorable run in front of the Francis St/Aldi end of Cusack Park where he popped up with the winning score in the 2023 Munster semi-final. His running and power moving forward is strengthening the argument that will be repeated here over the coming weeks that he should be at wing-back and not contained in the corner.
Rating: 7
5: Alan Sweeney (St Breckan’s)
Having popped up with goals against Leitrim and Fermanagh in Cusack Park, Sweeney didn’t venture too far forward in his quest to get a third successive green flag in as many games for Clare. Contributions were scarce from the Doolin man who didn’t put himself about as he often does, he did win the free which led to Clare’s second point of the afternoon. Clare struggled when ran at by Kildare, so did Sweeney and he was called ashore on sixty two minutes. His showing versus Sligo will be a chance to set the record straight.
Rating: 5
6: Fionn Kelleher (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
Back in the Clare side after missing the Fermanagh game, this was Fionn’s first big outing in a month, such a spell can make a difference at inter-county level and it did. The Doora/Barefield man did well on reacting to breaks and offloading to his teammates. However he struggled on Alex Beirne who finished as Kildare’s top scorer with 0-6 to his credit. On top of this, Clare were cut open down the spine of their defence where he and his colleagues were culpable.
Rating: 5
9: Ikem Ugwueru (Éire Óg)
Continued to be one of Clare’s best attacking threats from wing back, Ikem offers a huge amount of energy and possibilities going forward. He had a vital assist in the match-winning goal from Keelan Sexton at the death but he also managed to win his share of frees over the course of seventy minutes.
Rating: 7
8: Brian McNamara (Cooraclare)
Sometimes it’s hard to forget this is his second full season at senior inter-county level because Brian has made the midfield role his own and shows experience beyond his years. He chipped in with a point to Clare’s tally but did so much more such as winning turnovers, a case in point was a turnover he had no right to win that led to a Keelan Sexton two pointer and the last score of the opening half. Similar to Ikem, he offers great power when moving forward and is really leading by example.
Rating: 8
7: Sean McAllister (Clondegad)
In what his best game of the league thus far, Seán was effective and very smart when linking up the play and got on a great deal of ball. His substitution on fifty one minutes was a baffling and ridiculous call, it was a stage when Kildare were dominating in the air and when running at Clare but McAllister wasn’t the man worthy of getting the chop at this juncture, this decision is one of the few examples of where Peter Keane and his management have got it wrong in their tenure. Many players can get on the ball a lot and do the wrong thing, Seán made the right call in all 19 of his possessions while also winning two frees and two turnovers.
Rating: 8
12: Ciaran Downes (Kilmihil)
Given that Ciaran’s biggest impact on the game was when he sent freelance photographer Eugene McCafferty flying with a shoulder is a sign of the type of outing it was for the Kilmihil man. There’s nothing personal against Eugene but the shoulder was executed to perfection and the Shannon man who was seated at the time ended up doing a 90 to 180 degree flip when he felt the impact of the hit. When it came to the football, it wasn’t as perfect for Downes, while it is positive to see players taking on shots and having the gumption to do so, he had three wides where decision making could have been better and he also lost possession on vital occasions.
Rating: 5
11: Emmet McMahon (Kildysart)
Found it difficult to get on the ball but Emmet was closely marked by James McGrath which indicates the value opposing teams are placing on the Clare forward’s importance. He kicked three points, one from play but wasn’t as prolific both in terms of involvement in play and on the scoresheet as he has been to date. Proving his value as a leader within the side by communicating the right message in the heat of battle to his teammates. Did get frustrated though when things were going against his side and picked up a yellow card.
Rating: 6
18: Connor Meaney (Lissycasey)
It was a first start in the Allianz National Football League for Connor but in truth it was a game that passed him by. A factor in this could be that the Lissycasey man has become more familiar to his role in the half-back line as opposed to the half-forward line but he does have plenty of attacking pedigree given his time spent as a forward with Clare at underage level.
Rating: 5
10: Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey)
Aaron contributed to the scoreboard with Clare’s second point following good work from Alan Sweeney, Eoin Cleary and Seán McAllister. However, he also kicked three wides and had an effort dropped short so similar to Downes, it’s good to see him having the confidence to go for scores but will need to fine tune the radar. Hasn’t demonstrated yet in the league to really show his attacking nature and ability to leave opposing defenders in his wake.
Rating: 5
14: Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
Year eleven at senior level for Eoin in the county colours and he’s enjoying his return to inter-county action but wins in Cusack Park tend to be special for the Clare footballers. Had a very composed and tidy finish for Clare’s first goal on sixteen minutes. Also stepped up to convert a free on fifty four minutes. Effective in linking up the play to bring his teammates into the game.
Rating: 7
15: Keelan Sexton (Na Fianna)
Roaring into life with his best display of 2025 was Keelan Sexton. Without question the tally of 1-4 is worthy of plaudits but he produced a tireless display and wasn’t just tracking back when Kildare came out of defence but he was sprinting with all he could muster. It’s signs on that this a game when he was ‘on it’ because the Na Fianna man delivered in spades then when he was on the ball, kicked a brace of two pointers in the first half, both of which were laid off to him by Brian McNamara. He needed an outing to up his confidence and this was truly it from the All-Ireland winning boxer.
Rating: 9
Subs:
21: Cormac Murray (St Joseph’s Miltown)
Got on the ball when introduced but as Cormac has experienced before it can be difficult to make a significant impact from the bench. Had a chance to pick up a score but was blocked, indicating to both him and management that he would benefit from increased game time to bring up his sharpness. Also did his bit of unseen work in tracking back the field.
Rating: 5
19: Evan Cahill (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
Again Evan was able to get on the ball and helped form part of a Kilmurry Ibrickane chain which was finished off with a Dermot Coughlan score. That said, the frequency of his involvement was not as high as previous games. The Leaving Cerificate student is Clare’s go to whenever they are struggling to claim high ball as games are progressing.
Rating: 5
13: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
Though a late omission from the starting team, Dan got a fifteen minute stint from the bench suggesting either an injury restricted his full involvement or management dropped him after substituting him at half time versus Fermanagh. Such was his desire to make an impression that he was very eager to make a mark but ended up kicking two wides.
Rating: 5
24: Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
What a sight to see Dermot back on the field for the first time this year after fracturing his foot when in club action last year. Sentiment aside, the secondary school teacher made an invaluable impact and kicked two points in less than ten minutes. He did the right thing on the ball and the two white flags he raised were excellent scores. His importance to Clare is clear so hopefully management will carefully manage his return to action.
Rating: 7
27: Mark McInerney (Éire Óg)
Listed as sub-goalkeeper but Mark ended up in attack when sprung as a substitute. It remains to be seen if this move was part of the plan, if it was the Éire Óg man should have been sprung earlier to try work a score at a stage when Clare were trailing.
Rating: 5
