*Mark Rodgers tries to jinx past Jack McRedmond and Kevin Foley. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
WITH Clare’s strongest team of 2025 on the pitch their performance against Wexford was due to be up on previous displays but in many instances it was worse as a third successive defeat was the outcome, Eoin Brennan rates the performances.
1: Eibhear Quilligan
Two excellent saves kept Wexford at bay as a near post stop from a Kevin Foley angled shot in the eighth minute was surpassed by a smothering point blank block late on from Cian Byrne. Did have one or two mislaid restarts but in general, the puck-outs were varied and consistent, it’s predominantly the recipients that fell far short of the mark as Clare incrementally lost their way for primary possession from restarts.
Rating: 7
2: Rory Hayes
After two cameos from the bench, the Wolfe Tones defender deservedly received a first start and in the main had more positives than negatives. Made two outstanding blocks at the end of the third quarter on Kevin Foley and Seamus Casey who were both shooting at goal. Casey scored at the second attempt but Hayes couldn’t be faulted for that. Had tough battles with both over the 70 minutes and deserves to keep his place for Limerick.
Rating: 6
3: Darragh Lohan
For the second successive match, Lohan has had to retire early through an injury sustained from his direct marker as he was inadvertently struck by Cian Byrne who was attempting to fire a rebound to the net. Instead of getting a goal, the full-forward got a red card instead but prior to that was a much different opponent that Lohan normally faces as his speed and movement made him a handful. The Wolfe Tones’ defender’s clear at all costs manner is effective though.
Rating: 6
4: Ian Macnamara
An ever-present in 2025 so far and marked that with the opening point of the second half after good work from Rodgers and Reidy. It makes you think that the versatile Killanena player may be better suited to a more advanced role as his talent is undoubted but has found life tough in a unforgiving corner-back position that saw him give away three frees and invariably play a more reactive marking role. Perhaps that comes with experience and confidence though.
Rating: 5
5: Cian Galvin
Has been the brightest spark of the fringe players to try and break onto the starting 15 over the course of the National League campaign so far but this was the most disappointing of the three matches to date as the Magpie wasn’t as authoritative or aggressive enough in the tackle. Still is by far the best distributor of ball as his low pinpoint trajectory deliveries are a dream for any forward but requires a big display against Limerick to get back on track.
Rating: 6
6. John Conlon
The county’s most capped championship player made a hugely welcome return for what is his 17th season in a Clare senior jersey. Positioned at centre-back to add some much-needed experience and assurance to an overworked defence, it was clearly far too soon for the Clonlara star after only returning to training in recent weeks. Wexford looked to exploit his ring-rustiness and hunt him down in packs which accelerated his substitution early in the second period.
Rating: 5
7. Adam Hogan
Started and finished the match strongly but appeared to get lost in the crucial middle third of the tie that saw Wexford take over. At present, more comfortable as a last line defender at inter-county level at least, the Feakle man was predominantly ear-marked to curb Lee Chin whose elusiveness made him difficult to track or stop in his tracks. Had a hand in early points for Ryan Taylor and Tony Kelly and also won two frees late on, one converted by Aidan McCarthy.
Rating: 6
8. Cathal Malone
Thankfully reverted to a midfield berth after spending the Galway derby at wing-forward, the Sixmilebridge player got on a lot of ball early on and was a central figure in Clare’s bright start, even beginning the move for Tony Kelly’s third point. His influence did wain somewhat but still looked to be harshly replaced only ten minutes into the second half as there were a lot of players in the middle third that were far more pedestrian that this tireless worker.
Rating: 6
9: Ryan Taylor
A third successive start and will be given far more game-time to try to rediscover that explosiveness that made him such an impact off the bench in last year’s All-Ireland series and a regular starter before his ACL injury. Got an early point and should have doubled that tally as one inexplicably came off the upright. Also teed up Patrick Crotty for a second half point and won a free but only excited in fits and starts in a sector that Wexford physically dominated.
Rating: 6
10. David Fitzgerald
Another returnee making his competitive debut for 2025 and another that perhaps needs more time to blow off the cobwebs. After all, most things have gone right for the impressive back-to-back All-star over the past two seasons but try as he might, the Inagh-Kilnamona player never got into his undoubted stride on Sunday. Had a decent start and was instrumental in teeing up Ryan Taylor’s point but faded alarmingly from aerial and ground battles before being withdrawn.
Rating: 5
11. Mark Rodgers
Played his first hour of the new season after returning from injury and much like the majority of his fellow 2025 debutantes, started impressively but incrementally end up chasing and not dictating the game as the tie developed. Demonstrated his All-Star magic with a driving run and offload for Tony Kelly’s goal after only 90 seconds and also had a hand in points for Kelly, Ian Macnamara and Aidan McCarthy (free) but Clare needed the Scariff attacker to pepper the scoreboard himself.
Rating: 6
12. Patrick Crotty
Another frustrating outing for the young Scariff talent who does impact from time to time but is yet, in 2025 anyway, to put a full 70 minute display together. Won an early free that McCarthy converted, also set up Tony Kelly for his final score while getting a vital second half point himself. However, didn’t offer his usual aerial threat and in fact would be outscored by marker Richie Lawlor who was allowed to puck a puck-out for the first while not being tracked for his second.
Rating: 5
14: Tony Kelly
Had Clare’s record five-time All-Star retired for the afternoon after 30 minutes, it would be difficult not to rate him a perfect ten as he wowed both sets of supporters with an outstanding exhibition of scoring prowess to tally 1-4. From his positioning and finish for the opening goal in the second minute to some eye-catching instinctive points from the wings, it was a joy to watch but like other experienced players around him faded from the limelight when leadership was needed most.
Rating: 7
13. Aidan McCarthy
Was Clare’s top scorer for the second successive outing but while his eight frees were vital, two of which he earned himself, the Inagh-Kilnamona arguably didn’t offer enough of a scoring threat from play. Hit five wides, four of which stemmed from ling range frees but on a day in which Clare only got 1-6 from their starting forwards and 1-4 of that was from Tony Kelly, there was a distinct lack of penetration especially in the last line.
Rating: 6
15. David Reidy
Did score one of the points of the game from the left corner at the three-quarters mark but wasn’t prominent enough in the shooting stakes to get Clare back on track. The Éire Óg man had previously excelled from frees and play against Kilkenny the first day out with an eight points haul (seven frees) and grabbed a further brace from play against Galway but was more a provider for points for Tony Kelly and Ian Macnamara and also had a hand in Kelly’s goal.
Rating: 6
Subs:
21: Ross Hayes
Was given the unenviable task of trying to shadow the hugely influential Lee Chin when introduced with 30 minutes to go. Not many would have been able to stop Wexford’s talisman but it’s a role better suited to Hayes’ talents than defensive anchor.
Rating: 5
17: Paddy Donnellan
Clare craved a spark of energy much like Donnellan and Keith Smyth provided from the bench against Kilkenny in the last home tie. However, in a middle third that Wexford physically dominated most rucks and breaking ball, it was harder for the Broadford man to impact.
Rating: 5
25: Robin Mounsey
A first competitive appearance of 2025 for the Ruan man who gave supporters and management a glimpse of his potential with a superb point from the left wing. Will need much more game-time to realistically vie for a championship berth, even from the bench.
Rating: 6
19: Aron Shanagher
Only got just over ten minutes to make his mark which in a game that had drifted badly from Clare’s grasp, wasn’t littered with attacking opportunities.
Rating: 5
22: Conor Leen
Brought on to replace the injured Darragh Lohan nearing the 70 minute mark but regardless of his lack of minutes, it was just great to see the Corofin man back on the field having gone off prematurely himself against Kilkenny.
Rating: 5
