*Clare’s contingent of Dermot Coughlan, Ciaran Downes, Peter Keane, Keelan Sexton & Ikem Ugwueru.
CHAMPIONSHIP is just a week away, the early season silverware has been handed out in the National Leagues, Clare were empty-handed in this regard but The Clare Echo’s Head of News & Sport, Páraic McMahon examines what can we learn from the league on the hurling and football front.
For the second year in a row, it came down to the final round to determine that Clare had been unsuccessful in their quest for promotion back to Division 2 of the Allianz National Football League.
Last year Clare’s destiny was confirmed an eleven point hammering away to Down while this time even a final round five point victory over Offaly was insufficient to push them back to the second tier.
Five defeats and two losses is how it panned out for Clare, a first round trip to Antrim proving incredibly costly coupled with a flat display against Sligo which meant even though Clare defeated Kildare and Offaly, it was the Leinster counties that took the coveted promotion spots.
Fortress Cusack Park:
A one hundred percent winning record at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Cíosóg is arguably the highlight of Peter Keane’s first league campaign with Clare. Ensuring Cusack Park is a difficult venue to come to is essential for any Clare side hoping to progress and this has been achieved with wins recorded versus Leitrim, Fermanagh and Kildare.
On the road struggles:
On the flipside, Clare under Keane have not been so keen when it comes to picking up away victories. A late rally saw them deservedly take the spoils in Portlaoise against Laois with some exceptional performances helping to steer Clare to victory, however it has taken them too long to get into games on the road and come championship the best case scenario is for two home fixtures meaning that this must be rectified.
Slow reactions:
Over the course of the league, a criticism that could be levelled at management is that they proved to be reactive rather than proactive. It took until the middle of March to nail down a midfield partner for Brian McNamara while it was only in the final round that Clare discovered who their best centre back was. Things falling into place is welcome but the pieces could have been assembled much sooner.
Finding best spots:
An integral piece to come together was the move of Cillian Rouine to centre back. Utilising the attacking prowess of the Lahinch man was flagged in the player ratings for Clare Echo subscribers for the duration of the league. His showing against Offaly demonstrated that he is the man to wear number six for Clare, this is no criticism of Fionn Kelleher who had an admirable first campaign at senior level but the Doora/Barefield man should have been trialled in other spots such as a switch with Rouine in the corner. Most pleasing about Rouine’s showing versus Offaly was how he demonstrated the impact of his powerful runs from defence, an attribute that was not mentioned by the sensationalists in the media who caused a pile-on for the teacher in the wake of Ennistymon’s Clare SFC semi-final exit last season focusing on his decisions in their defensive approach.
Robbing Peter to pay Paul?
Emmet McMahon is one of Clare’s best shooters, he was double marked on many occasions in the league such is the threat he possesses off either boot. However, his move to midfield has steadied the ship and lessened the load on the shoulders of Brian McNamara but it has also deprived Clare of one of their top marksman. How to proceed is a catch twenty two.
Confidence to shoot:
Competition number one under Keane has seen Clare grow in confidence when it comes to backing themselves in front of goal, it is a welcome development in a game where players are almost afraid to take on the opportunity. The Caherciveen native hasn’t scorned players for having a go. There was certainly a wasteful element to Clare’s final round where they needed to win by ten points against Offaly and in the first half kicked eleven wides alone. Such shooting inefficiency cannot be repeated.
Griffin growing:
One such player to grow in confidence has been Lissycasey’s Aaron Griffin who finished the league on a high note. He scored two goals against Offaly and is demonstrating himself as a potential marquee forward. When he delivers, Griffin underlines the importance of opposing defences needed to keep tabs on him as he can bring an electricity and a turn of pace that is very difficult to counteract. He finished the league as Clare’s top goal-scorer in the forward line.
Trust the panel:
League debuts were earned by Fionn Kelleher, Eamon Tubridy, Evan Cahill, Cillian McGroary, Seán McAllister and Darragh Burns but Clare kept their panel confined in a sense. Diarmuid O’Donnell kicked a vital for Clare away to Offaly last season but didn’t see a minute of action in the league, the same for Brendy Rouine who has overcome injury issues and impressed for his club in the Cusack Cup. Colm Walsh O’Loghlen was man of the match in the county final for Éire Óg as they won a third title in four seasons but has not been included in a matchday panel yet for Clare. Keane has handed out debuts but certainly could have cast a wider net amongst his panel throughout the course of the league.
Brian Mc shines:
Rule changes have seen the introduction of the two pointer but they have also placed a big emphasis on fielding the ball which is where Brian McNamara excelled for Clare during the Allianz National Football League. The Cooraclare powerhouse dominated in the skies for Clare and is certainly resembling a young Gary Brennan with what he is bringing to the fold in the county colours.
A scalp must be taken:
In truth, Clare are no further forward nor further back than after Mark Fitzgerald’s first league campaign concluded, the Tralee man had to rebuild a panel following the exits of thirteen members from the 2023 squad. Keane had no such construction work to undertake and was boosted by the returns of Eoin Cleary and Keelan Sexton. Clare finished third in Division 3 with ten points in 2024 and had the same return again in 2025. Key to Keane showing that Clare have progressed under his watch is to claim a scalp when it comes to championship. First and foremost, the objective of qualifying for a third successive Munster final must be achieved because anything less is a step backwards. Clare have an ambitious panel of players that want to compete in the All-Ireland series, that is where they need to go and that is where they need to take down a big gun in 2025.
Bigger Banner backing needed:
Noticeably during the league, the standout attendance in Ennis at a Clare fixture was 2,176 for the final round versus Offaly. The number is far from what this panel of committed players deserve to be supporting them. They welcome Tipperary to Zimmer Biomet Páirc Cíosóg on April 19th and a much stronger Banner backing is required to help them in their endeavours
