*Clare captain, Tony Kelly. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
STILL UNBEATEN from four outings, Clare left Newbridge with a sense of relief after shaking off a stubborn Kildare but not for the first time it was captain Tony Kelly who led the way.
Five changes were made to the Clare team for their 0-27 3-14 win against Brian Dowling’s side.
Eoin Brennan runs the rule over the Clare crew to give the player ratings.
1: Eamonn Foudy
A contrasting tie for the respective goalkeepers as while Kildare’s Paddy McKenna was allowed to constantly puck short to complete 78% of restarts and never have a proper shot to save, Eamonn Foudy’s puck-outs were constantly pressurised. He had little primary ball winning sources either aside from Colm O’Meara and Tony Kelly. Did make a superb save in injury-time but also gave away the subsequent free that saw Jack Sheridan fire a consolation goal at the death.
Rating: 6
2: Dylan McMahon
It was a third starting berth for McMahon and it would prove both his most challenging yet rewarding appearance in a new role at corner-back. Had his hands full with Kildare’s most experienced forward David Qualter but excelled under immense pressure, especially in the narrative altering third quarter when the Clonlara defender found himself often isolated one-on-one in Clare’s last line but repeatedly burst out with possession.
Rating: 8
3: Conor Cleary
Had a major physical tussle with marker Cathal Dowling early on in what was a strong period of pressure from the home side. Surprisingly, Kildare managed to threaten with virtually every attack and pick holes in the Banner defence but to his credit, Conor Cleary was one of the few defenders to hold firm. His man-marking duties carried him further out the field as the half developed and remained more as a half-back than in the last line for the bulk of the second half.
Rating: 7
4: Conor Leen
Had an impressive competitive bow for the second half against Down last time out in a new centre-back role but reality certainly bit harder when resuming his role at corner-back for his first start of 2026. Only four minutes in, a stray handpass to Cathal McCabe was directly punished by a goal and had to be at his spoiling best for the remainder of a high stakes opening half. Was clearly hampered by a leg injury on the restart and was replaced by Ross Hayes.
Rating: 6
5: Diarmuid Ryan
A welcome return for the first time in three weeks for the Cratloe man who was a regular short puck-out outlet for Eamonn Foudy but also proved a strong leader in curbing a momentum-fuelled Kildare as much as possible in an intense first half. Surprisingly didn’t get on the scoreboard himself despite having two attempts that drifted wide. Instead however, he would have a direct hand in two first half points for Mark Rodgers and Shane Meehan
Rating: 7
6: John Conlon
A second successive start for the evergreen Conlon and a second withdrawal at half-time too as the versatile Clonlara defender eases his way back into the inter-county fare. He definitely wasn’t going through the motions either as he found himself pulled across the entire back line including a one-on-one stint as an auxiliary full-back where he had to used all his experience to fend off marker Cathal McCabe. Replaced by David McInerney at half-time.
Rating: 6
7: Niall O’Farrell
Still finding his feet at inter-county senior level not to mind having to do so in a completely new position at wing-back. You wouldn’t think it that it’s all new to Broadford’s talisman though as he looked extremely comfortable, especially going forward. Might have a bit to do tracking-wise but on the front foot, O’Farrell excelled by setting up four of Clare’s impressive tally including a brace for fellow newcomer Senan Dunford, Tony Kelly and substitute Jack O’Neill.
Rating: 7
8: Diarmuid Stritch
Not as swashbuckling as his starting National League debut but was still influential especially when switched to the forward line in the second period to revel in the increased space. Is arugably too similar in mindset to midfield partner Ryan Taylor whose he did set up for a first half point. Scored two himself, one in each half while also winning a free for Mark Rodgers to score along with having a hand in a Tony Kelly single as well.
Rating: 7
9: Ryan Taylor
Returned to the side for the first time since the Antrim game and would replicate the three point scoring feat from Cushendal too with a strong display. Crucially one of the leaders to provide the greatest resistance amidst an emboldened start from their plucky hosts. Picked off two inspirational points in the opening period and the Clooney/Quin man also helped put daylight between the sides when dispossessing and punishing on the scoreboard entering the final quarter.
Rating: 7
10: Colm O’Meara
Having made a very impactful cameo against Down a fortnight previously when raiding for two points, O’Meara earned a starting place and therefore became the fourth Clonlara starter on Saturday evening. However, he would be largely frustrated for much of the opening period and yet was the only player outside of Tony Kelly to win any clean ball from a puck-out, teeing up captain Kelly for a point and a goal chance before being withdrawn ten minutes into the new half.
Rating: 6
14: Tony Kelly
Kildare supporters were treated to Tony Kelly’s first hurling clinic of 2026 as the Ballyea supremo was outstanding throughout and much too elusive for a number of home defenders to try and curb. Picked off eight points from play on a horrendous evening for hurling but more than that, won two frees that Mark Rodgers converted, set up three further points for others and even carved out a goal chance albeit that it was a rather ambitious effort that was easily saved.
Rating: 9
12: Senan Dunford
The Tubber newcomer is rapidly rising up the pecking order after raiding for another three points to take his tally to eight in just his first two National League ties ever. Still has a bit to go to establish himself as a wing-forward though as didn’t win any clean aerial possession from puck-outs. However, he worked well down the left flank with Niall O’Farrell in the first half and also set up Tony Kelly for a point. Was eventually withdrawn entering the final ten minutes.
Rating: 7
15: David Fitzgerald
Still coming to terms with a much freer role between the half-forward and full-forward lines as is yet to get to the pitch of the game and flourish to his undoubted potential. Should have gotten on the scoreboard but hit a wide and spilled a potential goal chance. Fitz did make a great interception for a Tony Kelly point and also created a goal sighting for Shane Meehan that would be saved. However, would be taken off at half-time for Cathal Malone.
Rating: 6
14: Mark Rodgers
Another solid display for Clare’s National League top-scorer albeit that Rodgers wouldn’t be as impactful as previous displays as he struggled to get much change out of an obstinate Kildare last line. The Scariff attacker did score Clare’s first point and would be impressive from frees with a further six placed balls. However while he also set up Senan Dunford for a point and won one of those frees himself, there wasn’t enough threat when needed most in the inside line.
Rating: 7
13: Shane Meehan
Has been an ever-present so far but for all his unquestionable energy and threat, the Banner man didn’t match his endeavour and supply-line with a sufficient ratio of scores. Did raid for a first half point and had a hand in two more for others but crucially ended up in two minds for a glorious goal chance as he initially failed to beat his marker and instead of settling for a point, unleashed a tame goal attempt that was gratefully collected by home goalkeeper Paddy McKenna.
Rating: 6
Subs:
17: David McInerney
A first appearance of the new season so far for the Tulla man whose last competitive game of any kind in nine months. Didn’t display even a shred of ring-rustiness though as he anchored the defence perfectly from centre-back after coming on at half-time and even directly assisted Tony Kelly and Jack O’Neill for points.
Rating: 8
18: Cathal Malone
A second consecutive half-time introduction for the ever-impressive Malone who has rapidly made the wing-back role his own. Made a telling impact with back-to-back points from distance nearing the end of the third quarter which put the Banner into the ascendancy for the first time in 46 minutes.
Rating: 8
23: Jack O’Neill
Was industrious upon his arrival in the third quarter. Played a one-two with Diarmuid Stritch to put in Tony Kelly for a point; won a free that Mark Rodgers converted; scored a point himself and also gave away a free for over-carrying all in a ten minute spell.
Rating: 7
19: Ross Hayes
Was catapulted into the full-back line when Conor Leen went off injured with twenty minutes to go and had to get up to speed very fast. Shielded his marker well but did cough up a goal chance in injury-time that he was thankful for goalkeeper Foudy for saving.
Rating: 6
22: Ian Galvin
Got less than ten minutes to impress having come on for Senan Dunford late on. Did become the fifth Clonlara player to feature in Newbridge and more importantly it was great to finally see him back on the field for the first time in 2026..
Rating: 6
