*Photograph: Ruth Griffin
SENAN DUNFORD impressed with a dream debut in the National League as Clare made it three from three to strengthen their push back to the top tier.
John Conlon’s return to saffron and blue was among the highlights in Cusack Park on Sunday with his half-back line colleagues Cathal Malone and Niall O’Farrell producing fine displays in a facile win.
Eoin Brennan reviews the tie with the player ratings.
1. Eibhear Quilligan
All of Sunday’s players ratings can be tempered by the standard of opponent as evidenced by a 29 point triumph, with Clare’s goalkeeper fortunate that it was sunny as otherwise he would have been frozen due to inactivity. Yes, the Feakle stopper did have twenty puck-outs to administer and true to form excelled in his distribution. However, the reality is that he didn’t have a single shot to save over the 70 minutes which at least ensured a first clean sheet of 2026.
Rating: 7
4. Ross Hayes
Having been sprung off the bench at half-time against Antrim, the Crusheen defender was rewarded with his National League bow from the start and initially had his hands full with the towering Shea Pucci who did grab an early point. Hayes’ physicality was an important factor in curbing the big target man while Hayes also played a direct part at the other end of the field late on when his long range free broke for Peter Duggan to finish to the net.
Rating: 7
3. Conor Cleary
Spent most of the opening quarter utilising his football skills rather than his hurling ones as his repeated grappling match-up with Ronan Beatty saw the Miltown and Kilmaley dual star lose his hurley and have to kick the sliotar. Crucially never gave his marker a sniff of possession not to mind a solitary score before the Down forward was retired in this third quarter. Cleary did provide an asset for a David Reidy first half point in a rare burst forward.
Rating: 7
2. Dylan McMahon
A second successive start for the Clonlara defender who has gotten a real vote of confidence with three full appearances in Clare’s five competitive match so far in 2026. Has become more accustomed to a central role at club level than corner-back but was back in his natural habitat in the half back line for the majority as Down withdrew at least one forward at all times. Predominantly marked Liam Savage and held him scoreless.
Rating: 7
7. Cathal Malone
Continues to excel in his new wing-back role which has provided the opportunity to highlight both sides of his game in the past two home matches. Was defensively superb against Dublin a fortnight earlier but with Down not offering the same level of threat as the Dubs or even fellow Ulster side Antrim, Malone got much more freedom to raid down the right wing Diarmuid Ryan-like and pick off three points from play. Also had a major hand in another for Mark Rodgers.
Rating: 8
6. John Conlon
Was worth the admission fee alone to witness Clare’s most experienced player (70 championship matches) back on the field following a serious finger injury that had initially threatened to end his entire hurling career. Was clever in possession but wasn’t a conventional centre-back or spare defender either as hogged the right wing for Down’s puck-outs and was never really on any marking duties due to the lack of Down forwards. Great to get his first minutes of 2026 though.
Rating: 7
17. Niall O’Farrell
Not only was O’Farrell making his National League debut as a starter but did so in a brand new position too as having been Broadford’s talismanic top-scorer in last year’s county championship, he lined out at wing-back on Sunday as an eleventh hour replacement for Diarmuid Ryan.
Excelled in the position too, scoring a point either side of half-time, won a free that Mark Rodgers converted while also set up Jack Kirwan and Senan Dunford for points.
Rating: 8
8. Darragh Lohan
Played a positive leadership role around the centre as due to being partnered with newcomer Diarmuid Stritch, the Shannon man was as happy to hold and cover defensively as he was to bomb forward and initiate attacks. Scored a brace of second quarter points, won a free that Rodgers arrowed over from his own ’65 while also passed to David Reidy for another single. Was withdrawn at the break, having been an ever-present so far.
Rating: 7
21. Diarmuid Stritch
Was Clare’s undoubted star performer in the opening period as he repeatedly sliced through Down’s defence to bely what was only his first ever National League start. Grabbed three first half points, was a contributory part in three more and also won two frees. Was admittedly less influential in the second period but aside from two wides, he did tee up substitute and Clonlara club-mate Colm O’Meara for his first score at the turn of the final quarter.
Rating: 8
10. Jack Kirwan
A much heralded return from the start for Parteen/Meelick’s chief protagonist following a head injury sustained against Limerick on the first weekend in January and he only copperfastened his growing inter-county stature with an impressive display. Scored three points in the first 40 minutes alone and also teed up Cathal Malone for the final point of the first half. He wasn’t alone in dropping those lofty standards for the remainder but will get plenty of other chances to impress.
Rating: 8
11. David Reidy
Vied with Diarmuid Stritch for the First Half Finesse Award as the Éire Óg forward was much too elusive for the visitors to tie down and was directly responsible for five points, scoring two himself while also directly winning three frees, all of which were potted by freetaker Rodgers. That he could repeatedly pick several holes in a heavily packed Down rearguard made his display even more impressive before being withdrawn early in the third quarter to be replaced by Peter Duggan.
Rating: 8
14. Senan Dunford
A dream National League debut for the Tubber star who excelled in the increased supply line to finish as Clare’s second top scorer. Scored five timely points including two of the last four, the last of which could have easily have been a goal only to just clear the crossbar. Did provide the delivery for the opening goal though and set up a point for Shane Meehan so considering this was his first ever senior league tie, he deserves to be given the Man-of-the-Match nod.
Rating: 9
12. David Fitzgerald
Operated in a new position as a roaming corner-forward that regularly also drifted into the full-forward berth which did cause consternation in Down’s marking responsibilities. He seemed to sacrifice his own game to open space for others as was largely shadowed by Matthew Conlan. However, the Inagh-Kilnamona player did set up Senan Dunford and Mark Rodgers for first half points before getting on the scoreboard himself in emphatic fashion with a bullet goal.
Rating: 7
15. Mark Rodgers
Clare’s guiding light in the National League so far and was again Mr. Consistency with another 1-9 to bring his total over the three matches to 1-32. Converted frees from a variety of angles and impressively only missed one of seven attempts. Garnered three points from play, played in Senan Dunford for another and also grabbed his first goal of the campaign when Dunford’s delivery wasn’t cleared and Peter Duggan flicked the ball inside for Rodgers to pull to the net.
Rating: 8
13. Shane Meehan
Has established himself as an ever-present and produced another solid display by picking off three points while also aiding Mark Rodgers to a further pair of points including one from a free he won. Considering the level of opposition and the plentiful supply, the Banner man would have expected to be more fruitful on the scoreboard but did have a tough duel with Ben Teggart who never allowed him the space to present any threat on goal.
Rating: 7
Subs:
25. Conor Leen
Got his biggest cameo to date and really impressed at centre-back albeit in a deeper role than saw him operate largely in front of the full-back line. Would be a viable option for a more prolonged period at 6 but could only be truly valued against better opposition.
Rating: 7
18. Colm O’Meara
Came in at half-time for Darragh Lohan and got better as the second period developed, benefitting from an incrementally fragmented Down defence to raid for two final quarter points from play. Another that needs more game-time to nail down his best position.
Rating: 6
19: Peter Duggan
Was given less than 30 minutes but maximised his impact by having a major hand in all three final quarter goals. Flicked the first to Mark Rodgers to pull to the net, offloaded to David Fitzgerald to unleash an unstoppable top corner finish before pulling to the net himself entering the final ten minutes.
Rating: 7
23. Ronan Kilroy
A whirlwind rise to the Clare flagship ranks culminated with a 59th minute introduction for his senior debut. With two Banner men on the field, such a remarkable achievement was accentuated by the fact that Kilroy was brought on in an unaccustomed full-back position where he impressed with several incisive runs upfield.
Rating: 7
24. Jamie Moylan
Like Ronan Kilroy, Moylan is also a current Clare Under 20 who was making his senior debut. In fact, the Cratloe man looked at home at wing-back, even winning the free that Ross Hayes launched towards the square for Peter Duggan’s final goal.
Rating: 6
