*Brendy Rouine congratulates Ikem Ugwueru. Photograph: Ruth Griffin
BIG HITS helped Clare to finally get off the mark in the 2026 National Football League, leaving Enniskillen with their first points of the campaign.
It was a release of pressure and tension as Clare defeated Fermanagh 2-18 0-18 following back to back defeats. There was some very strong displays and even stronger hits as Paul Madden’s side gave an indication that this could be the tie to give them a bit of momentum to climb the Division 3 table.
Páraic McMahons looks back on the performances of the players in saffron and blue.
1: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks)
Picked up his first clean sheet of the campaign but Stephen didn’t have any goal-saving opportunities to keep out. Was a safe pair of hands when his opposing number Jack Kelly dropped a 45m free short in the third quarter. Kickouts and restarts were an issue where Clare really struggled and coughed up scores, he didn’t help Ikem Ugwueru with a questionable delivery in the opening half that led to Garvan Jones kicking a two pointer on nineteen minutes. In the third quarter when Fermanagh got on top, Clare’s kickouts were a downfall, Ryan wasn’t helped by the lack of options but he should have switched things up sooner on his restarts.
Rating: 6
2: Alan Sweeney (St Breckan’s)
Giving his best display of this year’s league, Alan showed the leadership skills that he has in his locker but had been kept away for the first two rounds. A lion-heart of the side, the Doolin man made two tremendous blocks within four minutes of each other in the closing stages, typifying his attitude of stepping up to show the way. Adapting to corner back, a role which would have been less familiar for Sweeney.
Rating: 8
3: Ronan Lanigan (Éire Óg)
A solid presence throughout Clare’s league campaign, Ronan once again delivered and has firmly claimed the full-back spot. Unselfish, he is getting on with his job with little fuss and doing what is in the best interests of the team. Made a tremendous run before popping to Aaron Griffin for Clare’s first goal, how he ended up as one of the main attacking threats for this move underlines how he is going the extra mile for the county cause. Started the move which led to Clare’s thirteenth point on fifty one minutes but most importantly always kept danger at arm’s length of his own goal.
Rating: 8
4: Manus Doherty (Éire Óg)
Bursting forward more than he had done in round one and two, Manus demonstrated just how effective he is at launching counter-attacks. His initial burst helped Clare get on the scoreboard with their first point on three minutes while his move to break the lines also led to Mark McInerney’s score on fifteen minutes.
Rating: 8
12: Brendy Rouine (Ennistymon)
Afforded more league game time at senior level than ever before, Brendy repaid the trust from management in spades with a fantastic display, particularly his final quarter when he moved further forward than he had been in the tie. His ability to time tackles has been evident from the club scene but he produced an unbelievable hit that secured Clare a turnover and resulted in Shane Griffin landing point number seventeen on sixty six minutes, it rallied his teammates and was the sign that Clare were not leaving without a win. Linked up very well with his older brother Cillian in the opening half. Rightly went for a shot when it was on with sixty two minutes on the clock but just missed the target. Claimed breaking ball from kickouts when Clare were on the backfoot. A really strong showing from Brendy.
Rating: 9
20: Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon)
What a welcome sight to Cillian back to anchor the defence from centre back. Brought his usual aggression and didn’t back down from the towering Darragh McGurn. Combined with younger brother Brendy in 1-2 leading to Eoin Cleary’s seventh minute point. Arguably his biggest moment was reading the play to snap an interception which created Clare’s first major. His last act was to kick a wide on twenty seven minutes, again the shot was on so he can’t be faulted for having a pop but unfortunately it led to him tweaking his hamstring. His half hour involvement demonstrated his value to the side so fingers are crossed that a swift recovery will see him back in action for round five.
Rating: 8
6: Ikem Ugwueru (Éire Óg)
Similar to Brendy on the other wing, it was towards the end of the tie where he really shone and likewise it was when he moved further upfield. Won’t thank Stephen Ryan for a short kickout which was a 30-70 ball more than a 50-50 that led to Fermanagh kicking their first two pointer. Was sidelined with a blood injury in the opening half and had the female supporters fanning for air when forced to change jerseys before his return to the field. Composed on the ball and was among those involved in Eoin Cleary’s fifty third minute point.
Rating: 7
9: Darragh Bohannon (Shannon Gaels)
Unfortunately injury cut short Darragh’s involvement when he hobbled off after fifteen minutes. He had been uncomfortable prior to his exit which lessened his input. While he was on the pitch, Clare had five scores and he was involved in two of them, soaring into the sky to catch the ball before allowing Daniel Walsh tee up Brian McNamara. Hammering home his importance to the side was the fact Clare struggled big-time on kickouts in the second half when the burden fell completely to Brian McNamara to win ball in the air. Similar to the skipper, Clare need his recovery to be done right so that he is fit and proper to return for round five.
Rating: 6
8: Brian McNamara (Cooraclare)
Days after climbing the steps of the Hogan Stand after captaining UL to Sigerson Cup glory for the first time, Brian was back in saffron and blue doing his bit for the county cause. The burden and load of two games per week has been visible so it is great for Clare football that county commitments will now occupy the sole focus of the Cree man. Had two points and a wide in the first half. Too much was asked of his already tired shoulders in the second half when Clare’s kickouts malfunctioned and not enough teammates assisted in serving as options for their restarts.
Rating: 6
10: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
A first start of this year’s league for Daniel saw him finish with a goal to his credit which was made by his clubmate Dermot Coughlan. Dan is known for stepping up with a league goal when it matters, he scored 1-2 in his league debut against Laois in May 2021 when Clare were in Division 2. Over the past five years, he hasn’t nailed himself down as a regular in the county side but did enough to retain his jersey based on his Brewster Park showing. Had eight possessions over his sixty two minute run but brought a bit of bite to proceedings, so much so that Ronan McCaffrey picked up a yellow card for clashing with him early on. Called ashore on sixty two minutes.
Rating: 6
5: Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
Clocking up more possessions than his teammates, Dermot continues to be one of Clare’s most important players to get on the ball. At times in the second half, he was guilty of not showing enough for possession but he made it count when the ball got into his hands. Didn’t score for the second game in a row but had a direct involvement in 1-2 of Clare’s tally. Coughed up a free which gave Fermanagh a chance to move forward and resulted in Conor O’Hanlon’s two pointer early on. Stood tall at the finish when leaders were needed and is certainly setting a very good example.
Rating: 7
26: Joshua Vaughan (Ennistymon)
In his senior debut, Josh didn’t look out of place. He didn’t put a foot wrong when he got on the ball and was able to put distance in his handpasses along with keeping it short when needs be. The University of Galway student was among those involved in creating Aaron Griffin’s first point. Taken off with fifty eight minutes played. Didn’t get to showcase his ability in the air, it’s likely that Bohannon’s absence will see him step up in this sector which will further highlight what he can do in the county colours.
Rating: 7
13: Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
Three points over the course of seventy minutes from Eoin. Only he would have been able to pick off the white flag on the fifty third minute, with such little space he was still able to come onto the ball at pace and with barely any room to manoeuvre swing a kick to split the posts. Though he was clinical and calm on the ball, for some reason Clare are not feeding him with enough supply and it could be argued that his role has been sacrificed somewhat with more of an emphasis on finding Mark Mc rather than getting the best out of both.
Rating: 8
14: Mark McInerney (Éire Óg)
Top scorer for Clare with a personal tally of 0-9, Mark had one hundred percent accuracy with all of his shots. Off the ball, he has more to give with his workrate a bit off the high levels he has shown in the past. Was also guilty of conceding a breach, Clare’s second in the space of sixty seconds which was inexcusable and came at a time when they were playing second fiddle. Could not be faulted with his shot-taking but still has more to give this team.
Rating: 7
11: Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey)
Consistently a scoring threat in the county colours, Aaron had 1-3 to his tally including a free. The goal on eleven minutes was well taken, Cillian Rouine and Ronan Lanigan covered the yards for him but Griffin still had the tough job of tucking it into the net and he duly did. Had one shot drop short in the opening half but did well with the limited supply that came his way before getting substituted on sixty six minutes.
Rating: 7
Subs:
7: Cillian Brennan (Clondegad)
Eager to prove a point after the rare experience of getting dropped at senior level, Cillian duly made his mark when introduced on fifteen minutes and fought tooth and nail for every ball. As such, he duly did prove a point.
Rating: 7
22: Connor Meaney (Lissycasey)
Didn’t put a foot wrong when introduced on twenty nine minutes, Connor was not overly involved in the play but made the smart moves any time he got onto the ball and also importantly made himself for the ball.
Rating: 7
24: Shane Griffin (Lisseycasey)
Kicked a point and won a free when brought on for the final fifteen minutes, Shane did his chances no harm in what is a very competitive forward-line to try break into.
Rating: 6
23: Gavin Murray (Éire Óg)
Back into the fray for the closing moments, Gavin was tasked with keeping energy levels high in the middle third and kept the chase up without getting on much ball.
Rating: 6
15: Cormac Murray (St Joseph’s Miltown)
Unlucky to drop out of the side, Cormac had little ball to make do when entering the fray but will have a big impact before the league is done.
Rating: 6
