*Éire Óg’s Manus Doherty is pressing for inclusion in Sunday’s Clare team. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
FOOTBALL pundits have repeatedly predicted in recent years that Clare will not survive in the higher divisions in the Allianz National Football League.
After many years plying their trade in Division 4, the Banner side gained successive promotions up to Division 2 where they have more than held their own in recent years.
In fact, they have been just a kick of a ball away from promotion to Division 1 for the past two seasons, matching many of the leading teams in the game.
Heading into a new campaign, many of the so-called experts are again predicting that relegation will be Clare’s lot come the end of the upcoming competition but players and management have a different view.
Colm Collins’ charges open their campaign on Sunday with a home tie in Cusack Park against Offaly whose 2021 All-Ireland U20 success has given a huge lift to the game in the Faithful county.
Early interest in the tie suggests that there will be a big attendance at Cusack Park when Offaly, now managed by a great Clare favourite in Mayo man John Maughan take to the pitch. It was Maughan who managed Clare to the Munster senior title back in 1992 when they defeated Kerry in the Provincial final on their way to the All-Ireland semi-final where they were unlucky to lose out to Dublin.
Clare’s starting fifteen for Sunday’s game won’t be revealed until nearer match day but it will include a mix of experience and youth.
Kevin Harnett, Sean Collins, Gavin Cooney and Dermot Coughlan are currently on the injured list while it’s unlikely that Jamie Malone (Corofin) and Conor Jordan (Austin Stacks) will be involved this week as they have been focusing on club action up to last week as their clubs reached the Munster intermediate and senior club deciders respectively.
Following impressive form with Éire Óg this season, defenders Manus Doherty and Ronan Lanigan are pressing strongly for inclusion on Sunday as are Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon) and Lissycasey’s Aaron Griffin.
Experience is provided by David Tubridy, Pearse Lillis, Cathal O’Connor, Cian O’Dea, Ciaran Russell, Podge Collins and team captain Eoin Cleary.
With just three of their seven games in the league on home soil, victory on Sunday would provide Clare with a massive boost for what promises to be a huge campaign.
National Football League Division 2 – Clare Fixtures:
January 20th: Clare v Offaly in Cusack Park, Ennis
February 5th: Clare v Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork
February 20th: Clare v Roscommon in Dr Hyde Park, Roscommon
February 27th: Clare v Derry in Cusack Park, Ennis
March 13th: Clare v Galway in Pearse Stadium, Salthill
March 20th: Clare v Meath in Cusack Park, Ennis
March 27th: Clare v Down in Pairc Esler, Newry
