*Pearse Lillis on the charge for Clare. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill IF CLARE ARE to continue in Division 2 of the Allianz National Football League, they must win their remaining two games and even that may not be enough.
*Darragh Bohannon breaks away from David Byrne and Lee Gannon. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill PRIDE, frustration and passion were just some of the emotions that Clare players, management and supporters were left with after leaving Croke Park last Saturday evening after a pulsating league encounter against Dublin.
*Ballyea wing-forward, Cathal O’Connor. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill An already novel derby final pairing between Ballyea and Éire Óg also has the distinction of being the first hurling decider to have more players with senior inter-county football experience than the hurling equivalent.
A nail-biting finale to Group 3 on Sunday afternoon saw the top three contenders only separated by scoring difference as Ennistymon and Kilmurry Ibrickane cemented quarter-final places while previously unbeaten Clondegad enter a play-off.
*Barry Toner applying the pressure. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Clondegad became only the fourth side to maintain their perfect start to the senior championship after edging out Doonbeg by the minimum in Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon.
*David McNamara gets a bounce from Conor Gavin’s tackle. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CLONDEGAD HAVE expressed relief to record a first round win in the Clare SFC while Ennistymon are scratching their heads as they react to another below-par championship outing.
*Clondegad’s Cillian Brennan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Clondegad have had mixed fortunes in the senior championship in recent years and they’re determined 2022 will be one of their better seasons.
CILLIAN BRENNAN RETURNS to the starting fifteen as Clare prepare to take on Derry in the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals.
*Captain Eoin Cleary is congratulated following Clare’s quarter-final win. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Honesty, passion, resilience and commitment were some of the key ingredients that saw Clare dramatically come from behind against Roscommon to secure a historic victory and reach the All-Ireland quarter final for the first time since 2016.
CILLIAN BRENNAN IS SET to return to the heart of the Clare defence for Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final with Derry.
