*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CLARE ended Kildare’s unbeaten run in Division 3 of the Allianz National Football League and more importantly picked up two points to keep their chances of promotion alive.
Clare 2-12
Kildare 0-16
Venue: Zimmer Biomet Páirc Ui Choisoig
A dramatic finish which included a Keelan Sexton goal in additional time saw Clare record a two point win over Kildare.
Dermot Coughlan’s introduction from the bench where he kicked two points was crucial. The Kilmurry Ibrickane man made his first appearance of the year after fracturing his foot in the club championship.
After producing a fine opening half where they carved out a six point advantage, a big dip followed from Clare in the second half with Kildare completely dominating which meant there was a sense of relief among the Banner faithful that they managed to nab a very valuable win.
This feeling was evident in Cusack Park following the final whistle with many Clare stalwarts out on the pitch to celebrate the win. Included among the cast were ex goalkeeper Joe Hayes, former captains Gary Brennan and Francis McInerney along with Brendan Rouine, Dermot Coughlan and ex selector Declan Downes. The total attendance at the game was 1,827.
Sexton’s goal on seventy two minutes was the final score of the game and secured the two point win in dramatic fashion. In what was his best display of the league this year, Keelan chipped in with a brace of two pointers in the second half but also impressed with his efforts to track back the field and put opponents under pressure.
Kildare were able to cut through Clare a bit too easily throughout the game, a glimpse of this was apparent with their first score on five minutes when Cathal Dalton split the posts after waltzing through the Clare spine.
Three points in a row saw Clare respond to take the lead, Emmet McMahon, Brian McNamara and Aaron Griffin all on target within the space of five minutes.
Eoin Cleary goaled on sixteen minutes with a well-composed finish. Manus Doherty though outnumbered in defence managed to get the ball to Seán McAllister, he was also against the odds but held onto the ball to find Cillian Rouine who produced a tremendous run up the field to link with Cleary and he made no mistake in hitting the net.
Bolton responded at the other end, only for Sexton to step up with his first two pointer, Eamon Tubridy and McNamara feeding the ball to the danger man.
Two McMahon scores and another Sexton two pointer gave Clare a six point lead (1-9 0-6) at the break, one would have been reduced only for Eamon Tubridy making an excellent save from Alex Beirne in the closing stages of the first half.
Kildare upped the ante on the restart while Clare went off the boil. Brian Flanagan’s charges had five points without reply to come to within a point, Peter Keane’s side finally getting off the mark with an Eoin Cleary free, nineteen minutes into the second half.
Alex Beirne who had a superb second half, levelled matters two minutes later with a two pointer. The Naas attacker then shoved his side in front for only the second time in the game as pressure was beginning to mount.
Coughlan’s introduction was a timely jolt for Clare. As mistakes were beginning to pile up on their end, he served as a calm figure and one to make the right decisions despite the high stakes. He kicked two points in the space of five minutes and linked up well with his teammates on the ball.
Beirne again looked to have twisted the result in Kildare’s favour when he kicked his second two pointer but up stepped Sexton after receiving a pass from Ikem Ugwueru with an excellent finish to the net to see Clare pick up the victory.
Full of spirit and determination, there was a resilience to Clare’s display in Ennis. The manner of their late victory against Fermanagh a fortnight ago will have helped in this regard but they will take a huge bounce from coming from behind to eek out a two point victory against the previously unbeaten Kildare, the only football team prior to this weekend to have not lost a game in the 2025 league.
This was arguably Clare’s biggest game of the year and they won, that is of course the result they wanted and plaudits are due. However, the manner in which they were caught napping on several occasions with unmarked opponents and the ease at which they got cut open is of concern if the goal is of course to return to the second tier. Equally they lost a lot of breaks in the second half and the manner in which they unravelled throughout from the start of the second half to the last ten minutes is a worry.
With three wins from four, Clare are in a nice spot. On this occasion, they had fine displays from Eamon Tubridy between the posts who can be very pleased to have collected a clean sheet, Brian McNamara and Sean McAllister really impressed in midfield, Dermot Coughlan’s return was a tonic while corner back duo Manus Doherty and Cillian Rouine delivered in spades but it was Keelan Sexton who was their star man over the hour.
Kildare accounted for the majority of the attendance, that was clear in the second half when they made their voices heard but it was also easy to ascertain that they weren’t used so far in 2025 anyway, to coming up second fiddle. Alex Beirne was excellent for them in the second half with Callum Bolton and James McGrath also impressing.
Scorers Clare: K Sexton (1-4 2TP), E Cleary (1-1 1f), E McMahon (0-3 2f), D Coughlan (0-2), B McNamara (0-1), A Griffin (0-1).
Scorers Kildare: A Beirne (0-6 2TP), C Bolton (0-3), C Dalton (0-2), K Feely (0-2 1f), B McCormack (0-1)
Clare:
1: Eamon Tubridy (Doonbeg)
4: Manus Doherty (Éire Óg)
3: Cillian Brennan (Clondegad)
2: Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon)
5: Alan Sweeney (St Breckan’s)
6: Fionn Kelleher (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
9: Ikem Ugwueru (Éire Óg)
8: Brian McNamara (Cooraclare)
7: Sean McAllister (Clondegad)
12: Ciaran Downes (Kilmihil)
11: Emmet McMahon (Kildysart)
18: Connor Meaney (Lissycasey)
10: Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey)
14: Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
15: Keelan Sexton (Na Fianna)
Subs:
21: Cormac Murray (St Joseph’s Miltown) for Griffin (48)
19: Evan Cahill (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for McAllister (51)
13: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for Meaney (54)
24: Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for Sweeney (62)
27: Mark McInerney (Éire Óg) for Downes (71)
Kildare:
1: Didier Cordonnier (Two Mile House)
4: Brian Byrne (Naas)
3: Mick O’Grady (Celbridge)
2: Ryan Burke (Carragh)
5: Jack McKevitt (Naas)
6: James McGrath (Athy)
7: David Hyland (Athy)
9: Callum Bolton (Sarsfields)
8: Cathal Hagney (Nurney)
10: Ben McCormack (Sarsfields)
11: Alex Beirne (Naas)
12: Colm Dalton (Sallins)
13: Niall Kelly (Athy)
14: Kevin Feely (Athy)
15: Darragh Swords (Carragh)
Subs:
23: Brian McLoughlin (Clane) for Swords (28)
17: Harry O’Neill (Clane) for Hagney (HT)
26: Jimmy Hyland (Ballyteague) for Kelly (44)
24: Ryan Sinkey (Naas) for McCormack (52)
25: Daniel Flynn (Johnstownbridge) for Feely (70)
Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry)
