*John Conlon made his first start of the year for Clare. Photograph: Ruth Griffin.
CLARE’s senior hurlers remain firmly on track to bounce back to the top tier of the National Hurling League, their third win in Division 1B seeing them annihilate Down by twenty nine points.
Clare 3-35
Down 0-15
Venue: Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, Ennis
Anything other than a Clare win would have stood among the sporting shocks of the season and everything went according to plan for Brian Lohan’s side in Ennis on Sunday afternoon.
Capping it all off was the fact Clare didn’t add to their growing injury list, coming through their round three tie unscathed and also using the occasion to give National League debuts to Niall O’Farrell and Senan Dunford, the duo played the full seventy minutes while Ronan Kilroy and Jamie Moylan were introduced from the bench to make their senior bows.
O’Farrell was a late change at wing back, replacing Diarmuid Ryan, while the Broadford man was in unfamiliar territory, he accounted for himself well and was strong in the air as well as with his delivery.
In truth though there was no weak Clare performer as they showed the gulf between them and Down, a remarkable gap it proves to be.
Welcomed back with open arms to the fold was John Conlon at centre back, making his first appearance of 2026 for the Clare seniors. The frequent shouts of ‘aboy Conlon’ underlined that the Banner supporters missed the Clonlara man and his club at the highest representation on the day with Diarmuid Stritch starting at midfield with Dylan McMahon in the full-back line and Colm O’Meara chipping in with two points when introduced.
Down may have went two points in front after the first three minutes but when Clare took control, they were unstoppable. The sides were level on three occasions in the first nine minutes of the tie until Clare hit an unanswered nine points to create a lead that would not be toppled.
Second half goals from Mark Rodgers, David Fitzgerald and Peter Duggan created a bigger cushion to the overall score and there was no disputing the margin between the counties.
What Clare will learn from this encounter is hard to gauge but it underlines the need for the county to be back in the top tier where they will be lining out in meaningful games against opponents capable of lifting the Liam MacCarthy. Even with the players trialled out in this round three affair, it would not be accurate to say even those who performed well would cope in the cut and thrust of Munster championship games.
Of those battling for contention on Clare’s championship side, Diarmuid Stritch appears to be the most lively prospect to disrupt the solid midfield pairing of Cathal Malone and Ryan Taylor which has served the county well under Brian Lohan’s tenure. O’Farrell was solid in his debut at wing back but it would be a completely challenge against any of the provincial opponents. Jack Kirwan who was making his first league start in three years can benefit from more game time as will debutant Dunford who hit five points from play.
David Reidy at centre forward showed the energy he brings further out the field where he is exceptionally sharp on breaking ball. David Fitzgerald was smart in his use of the ball and unselfish in his play while he also fired a rocket to the net himself. Peter Duggan had a hand to play in all three majors, providing the assist for the first two before beating Pearse Smyth on sixty two minutes.
Kildare away are up next for Clare where this will serve as another opportunity to give game-time to lesser established players.
All photographs by Ruth Griffin.
Scorers Clare: M Rodgers (1-9 6f), S Dunford (0-5), P Duggan (1-1), D Stritch (0-3), D Fitzgerald (1-0), C Malone (0-3), S Meehan (0-3), J Kirwan (0-3),D Reidy (0-2), D Lohan (0-2), N O’Farrell (0-2), C O’Meara (0-2).
Scorers Down: P Óg McGuckian (0-7 3f), D Sands (0-3), P Sheehan (0-2), S Pucci (0-1), C Coleman (0-1), D Óg Rooney (0-1).
Clare:
1: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
4: Ross Hayes (Crusheen)
3: Conor Cleary (St. Joseph’s Miltown)
2: Dylan McMahon (Clonlara)
7: Cathal Malone (Ennistymon)
6: John Conlon (Clonlara)
17: Niall O’Farrell (Broadford)
8: Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones)
21: Diarmuid Stritch (Clonlara)
10: Jack Kirwan (Parteen/Meelick)
11: David Reidy (Éire Óg)
14: Senan Dunford (Tubber)
15: Mark Rodgers (Scariff)
12: David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona)
13: Shane Meehan (Banner)
Subs:
25: Conor Leen (Corofin) for Conlon (HT)
18: Colm O’Meara (Clonlara) for Lohan (HT)
19: Peter Duggan (Clooney/Quin) for Reidy (45)
23: Ronan Kilroy (Banner) for Cleary (49)
24: Jamie Moylan (Cratloe) for Stritch (58)
Down:
1: Pearce Smyth (Portaferry)
4: Ben Teggart (Ballygalet)
9: Matthew Conlan (Portaferry)
3: Ruairí McCrickard (Liatroim Fontenoys)
6: Caolan Taggart (Portaferry)
7: Barry Traynor (Portaferry)
19: Tom Murray (Portaferry)
5: Niall McFarland (Bredagh)
12: Liam Savage (Ballyagran)
8: Donal Hughes (Bredagh)
13: Eoghan Sands (Portaferry)
11: Pearse Óg McCrickard (Liatroim Fontenoys)
15: Daithí Sands (Portaferry)
14: Ronan Beatty (Carryduff)
10: Shea Pucci (Ballygalet)
Subs
17: Paul Sheehan (Ballyagran) for E Sands (HT)
26: Finn Turpin (Portaferry) for Pucci (43)
2: Ronan Smith (Portaferry) for Murray (45)
18: Cathal Coleman (Portaferry) for Beatty (49)
25: Donal Óg Rooney (Carryduff) for Trainor (61)
21: Ben Christie (Bredagh) for McCrickard (70) (inj)
Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford)
