*Aaron Griffin in action for Clare. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
A TEN POINT swing saw Clare’s senior footballers defeat Laois in what was an essential result to keep promotion hopes alive, Páraic McMahon rates the Banner displays.
There were contrasting emotions for Clare supporters at Laois Hire O’Moore Park in Portlaoise at half-time and full-time, so too were the performances of the men in saffron and blue.
1: Eamon Tubridy (Doonbeg)
Kickout retention for Eamon’s restarts stood at 59 percent in what was an improvement on the Sligo showing. Coughed up a kickout directly to Mark Barry on the seventeenth minute immediately after Barry converted a free, this coming at a stage when Clare conceded six points without reply, though not directly the Doonbeg man’s fault they also lost three kickouts in succession during this spell. Made an important save to deny Josh Hogan at the start of the second quarter.
Rating: 6
4: Manus Doherty (Éire Óg)
Once again Manus demonstrated his importance to the side but this time in a different guise. Was sold a dummy which led to Laois winning a free that Mark Barry converted on twenty three minutes, though he didn’t cough up the free it was unlike the Éire Óg man to be caught. However Manus was the man curbed with silencing the problematic Barry and he kept him scoreless from play, demonstrating that he is placed for the man-marker role if required in the full-back line. Still managed to find an assist when teeing up Aaron Griffin for Clare’s seventeenth point.
Rating: 7
3: Cillian Brennan (Clondegad)
Getting the job done without being over flashy is how Cillian has carried himself thus far in the National Football League. Picked up a yellow card on twenty two minutes prior to Laois kicking their eleventh point in the opening half. He kick-started the move seven minutes later which ended with Ikem Ugwueru fisting the ball between the posts to bring Clare back to within two points. As captain, he could have done more to steady the ship during a very rocky second quarter.
Rating: 6
2: Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon)
While it could be classed as a first half to forget for Cillian, it is most definitely one to learn from. Assigned to Laois’ main man Mark Barry and he lost the battle with his marker kicking four points from play in the opening half prompting management to alter his role at half time. This man-marking role didn’t suit him and the continued restriction of Rouine at corner back is a frustration as he has a lot more to offer in powering out of defence. His second half was a big improvement, showing a steely mentality to bounce back from a rocky first half when other players would have wilted, that said Brian Byrne got away from him too easily for Laois’ fifteenth point. His turnover in the final moments on the far side provided a huge lift.
Rating: 6
8: Connor Meaney (Lissycasey)
Called ashore at half-time, Connor didn’t leave his mark on proceedings, his withdrawal was more to do with bringing Dermot Coughlan into the fray. That said, they did struggle in the middle third and particularly during the second quarter when Laois dominated so changes did have to be made.
Rating: 6
6: Fionn Kelleher (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
As the games are progressing, Fionn is beginning to find his feet at senior inter-county level. An admirable character in that he will leave every last ounce on the field which he did in Portlaoise. Was caught napping with Ronan Coffey left unmarked as a dropping ball was palmed to the back of the net for Laois’ goal on the cusp of half-time. Made himself available as an option throughout the second half and did his bit to manufacture attacks while also putting his body on the line to make blocks. Unlucky to be substituted on sixty six minutes. Rightly called out the poor research by those submitting the match programme for incorrectly spelling his name for the duration of the league.
Rating: 7
7: Alan Sweeney (St Breckan’s)
With his club St Breckan’s, Sweeney has been a leader since helping them win promotion from intermediate in 2019. In Portlaoise, he demonstrated these leadership qualities as he helped to get things moving when the chips were down. Scored his third goal of the 2025 league when finishing off a well-worked team move. What was as impressive was his superb catch in the second half which seemed to lift both the Clare players and supporters all in one swoop to mount the comeback.
Rating: 7
9: Brian McNamara (Cooraclare)
There’s a lot resting on the young shoulders of Brian Mc when it comes to expectations. A lot is being asked of him when it comes to winning the aerial battle and while he is performing admirably, he needs more support which was evident when Laois dominated the second quarter. Really came to the fore as Clare were going hammer and tongs in the final quarter and even managed to kick the point to put them in front on sixty seven minutes. Lined out against his former teammate Killian Roche who was between the posts for Laois.
Rating: 8
5: Ikem Ugwueru (Éire Óg)
Early assists for scores from Eoin Cleary and Ciaran Downes saw Ikem create scores while he finished one of his own on twenty nine minutes. Had the last attempt of the game but it fell wide. Is growing in confidence when it comes to taking on his own score which is a plus for Clare as once the Ennis man gets in motion it opens up the world of scoring possibilities.
Rating: 7
10: Ciaran Downes (Kilmihil)
Two points in the opening half from Ciaran saw him contribute to the scoresheet for the first time since their third round tie against Fermanagh. His first half showing saw him have a lot more of an involvement, not just with the scores but in attempting to link the play, indeed the Kilmihil man was one of Clare’s better attackers during a forgettable first half. Made way on fifty two minutes.
Rating: 6
15: Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey)
Arguably Aaron Griffin’s greatest performance in a Clare jersey. Not just because he finished with 1-4 but he showed what he is can do when he uses his pace and power to take on opposing defences. Kicked a point within twenty seconds of the throw-in and had a goal within 241 seconds. Took the task to Laois early on and they struggled with him. Went quiet for the second quarter but came back to life for the finish. Hopefully the upward trajectory continues for the Lissycasey man.
Rating: 8
14: Emmet McMahon (Kildysart)
A bang on the head seemed to do Emmet no harm as when he emerged back on the field on fifty two minutes after going off as a blood substitute, he produced a remarkable finish. Prior to this, he had been absent but his move to midfield really saw him grow into the game. In the first half, he demonstrated his importance in winning kickouts or flicking the ball on. Started the second half well with three scores in a row, continued to lead the way from there on and really led the line.
Rating: 8
11: Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
Ten possessions over the hour from Eoin who was positioned deeper than the beginning of the campaign. The situations may be tricky but the Miltown man continues to make the right decision regardless of the pressure. Kicked three points, his first from play after Keelan Sexton and Ikem Ugwueru set him up. Clare will need to see more of him on the ball so management may have to move him a bit more during games.
Rating: 6
13: Mark McInerney (Éire Óg)
A first start of the year for the three-time Clare SFC winner and he duly delivered. It was a week where his aunt Rita was name-checked by the Taoiseach in the White House and it finished with Mark kicking three points in Portlaoise. The pressure of two 45m frees didn’t faze him and he certainly strengthened the shooting efficiency of the attack.
Rating: 7
12: Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
An improvement on his Sligo showing but not at the man of the match levels he demonstrated against Kildare so it was somewhere in between for Keelan. His workrate ans tracking runners may seem like unnoticed work but it is incredibly important. Links up very well with teammates, Eoin Cleary in particular. Didn’t score but had five opportunities, one of them a goal chance and this efficiency needs to improve.
Rating: 6
Subs:
18: Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
Made a huge difference when introduced and Dermot will certainly strengthen Clare’s cause when back to a starting role. His first full half of football this year.
Rating: 7
22: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
Walsh would have been disappointed to be omitted from the starting fifteen, tried to contribute when introduced but needs to issue a stronger response to get back in the team.
Rating: 6
21: Darragh Burns (Doonbeg)
Demonstated the energy he can bring against Sligo in the previous round and this time Darragh contributed to the scoreboard, pointing from a tight angle at a very pressurised moment of the game. Deserves more game time.
Rating: 6
17: Ronan Lanigan (Éire Óg)
What a welcome sight to see Ronan back in the fold, he was introduced on sixty six minutes and offers a calming presence from the get-go. Will give management more options to push players such as Cillian Rouine forward when returning to the starting side.
Rating: 6
23: Shane Griffin (Lissycasey)
Didn’t manage to have an involvement but will be pleased to have got minutes under his belt.
