Eoin Cleary and Jamie Stack at the final whistle. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
A FIRST Cusack Park win under Paul Madden has given Clare’s footballers fresh impetus for Saturday’s derby encounter with Limerick.
Clare mixed the good with the bad to defeat Laois 0-24 2-15 in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg in round four of the Allianz National Football League and record their second win in Division 3 this season.
Eoin Cleary was Clare’s standout player over the seventy minutes as detailed by Páraic McMahon in the latest player ratings.
1: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks)
Kickouts were stronger from Stephen but his biggest contribution was a penalty save. Had Evan O’Carroll goaled from the penalty spot on fifty three minutes, Clare who lost their numerical advantage at this juncture for a ten minute spell, would have found it difficult to come out on top. Instead, Stephen got down tremendously well to stop O’Carroll’s effort. His kickout retention was at its second highest success rate (64%) of this year’s league which was a marked improvement. A quick restart from Ryan led to Clare’s first point of the second half when he played to Brendy Rouine who turned provider for Dermot Coughlan. However, he took the wrong option in trying to find an outnumbered Alan Sweeney, overcooked the delivery and conceded a line ball which Laois then ended up sticking in his net with a well-taken O’Carroll major. He wasn’t at fault for their second green flag. Always composed for any dropping ball that came his way.
Rating: 7
2: Alan Sweeney (St Breckan’s)
After delivering his season’s best in Brewster Park, Alan didn’t quite match his level of performance a week on. It was his turnover that led to Clare equalising for the first time with nineteen minutes played. Was also involved in assisting Clare’s sixteenth point of the afternoon. Remains one of the central leaders of the side, the importance in him issuing instructions cannot be understated in what remains a team still finding its cohesiveness. The Doolin defender was very fortunate that his wrong pass to Connor Meaney didn’t end up with Rioghan Murphy bagging a goal in the first quarter.
Rating: 7
3: Ronan Lanigan (Éire Óg)
In what was Ronan’s trickiest assignment of the league to date, he was tasked with curbing Evan O’Carroll. The towering Crettyard forward is over a decade on the inter-county beat and clocked up with 1-2 from play. Lanigan shadowed and shepherd the full-forward but would have had to take gamble of securing possession first to try limit his scoring prowess which at the same time could leave him exposed. Made seven tackles over the afternoon and won three turnovers while once again showing what he can do with runs up the field, he made a break which led to Clare’s first point from play, was involved in Cormac Murray’s first score and would have had another assist only for Aaron Griffin’s effort tailed wide at the end of the opening half.
Rating: 7
4: Manus Doherty (Éire Óg)
Well used to playing in Cusack Park, Manus wasn’t as familiar with some of the patches on the field not to bounce the ball and his fast feet thankfully came to his aid when the ball ended up in some sticky situations. Won his individual battle which was the primary objective in his corner back spot. When he tears up the field in possession, chances inevitably arise which is why coach Kieran Murphy in particular is keen to encourage the Ennis defender to make himself available on runs. Such runs weren’t as frequent for round four but Manus did have an hand in Clare’s very first score where they won a free that Cleary converted.
Rating: 7
6: Ikem Ugwueru (Éire Óg)
Supporters who were not treated to Brendy Rouine’s big hit in Enniskillen got to indulge in a powerful Ikem challenge which made more than noise on fifty eight minutes. While it lifted the crowd, unlike Rouine’s shoulder, it didn’t lead to an immediate Banner bounce and instead Clare conceded 1-1 without reply but this resting on or due to Ikem’s shoulders. He brought the power across the course of the game and was involved in assisting two Eoin Cleary scores over the afternoon. Ikem’s athleticism in driving forward is one of Clare’s strongest assets and needs to be utilised.
Rating: 8
22: Connor Meaney (Lissycasey)
Standing in for his league start of 2026, Connor did more than enough to hold onto the jersey. With Cillian Rouine so influential in his first half showing a week previous, there was big shoes to fill but Meaney stepped in to them with no inhibitions. He’s right to be confident in his ability as at club level under Aiden ‘Horse’ Moloney, Connor has shown with Lissycasey how he has quietened the best footballers in Clare through his man marking and hassling. Apart from his involvement alongside Sweeney in gifting Laois a first half goal opportunity, Connor didn’t do much wrong and anchorded the defence admirably.
Rating: 8
12: Brendy Rouine (Ennistymon)
Relishing in his longest run of games at senior inter-county level, Brendy continued to be one of Clare’s top performers. Confidence levels are increasing which is a huge plus both for him and the county cause. Didn’t connect properly with a shot which led to a bad wide on ten minutes but his contribution to the scoreboard is only around the corner. Brendy’s most effective spell was in the third quarter when Clare began to take control, his turnover helped start to move for Clare’s twelfth point, he then won the free which Eoin Cleary kicked as a two pointer to go ahead and soon after combined with Alan Sweeney for another Cleary white flag. One of Clare’s most consistent players so far under Paul Madden.
Rating: 8
8: Brian McNamara (Cooraclare)
As mentioned before the ceiling with Brian Mc is very high given his ability. This was a game that passed him by but it wasn’t one where Laois dominated in the middle third which is in itself underlines that he is nullifying threats but arguably not putting his stamp on proceedings. With injury to Darragh Bohannon and the exerts of a long Sigerson Cup run, a lot has fallen on his shoulders, the Cooraclare clubman is not one to shy away from a challenge, his best in this year’s league is yet to come.
Rating: 6
7: Cillian Brennan (Clondegad)
Made an impact when sprung from the bench in round four but Cillian’s contribution was not as significant this time round. His partnership with Brian Mc appears slightly out of sync, particularly when it comes to high balls and communication surrounding them. Always gives it absolutely everything when it comes to club and county so once again it was no surprise to see him deliver a battling performance but his role and strongest spot on the team is unclear at this stage. Picked up a black card with fifty two minutes on the clock, which got rid of Clare’s numerical advantage and was very fortunate his foul which led to a penalty was so well saved by Ryan.
Rating: 6
10: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
For round four, Dan didn’t hold back when handed his first start of the year but the physicality and aggression evident in Enniskillen didn’t make its way down to Ennis. Unfortunately he didn’t leave a mark in this contest and was not overly involved on the ball while he didn’t make himself available as an outlet. Considering Bohannon’s absence, Dan should be putting himself in the frame as an outball option for Stephen Ryan’s kickouts but he didn’t so sufficiently, prompting his withdrawal on forty nine minutes.
Rating: 5
5: Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
When it comes to carrying the ball, there’s not many Clare players that can get into possession as much as Dermot. This underlines the importance of him making himself available, it’s a big ask for a player already clocking up the kilometres but his value to the side is clear to see. Back on the scoreboard when he kicked Clare’s first point of the second half, the quick thinking was done by Stephen Ryan and Brendy Rouine but the task of shooting fell Dermot’s way and he duly delivered. Once again, involved in linking up scores and is combining very well with his first cousin Eoin leading both Kilmurry Ibrickane and St Joseph’s Miltown supporters to wonder what may have been had they ever been on the same club team.
Rating: 8
9: Joshua Vaughan (Ennistymon)
Settling into the side, Josh made his second-ever start at senior level and his first in Cusack Park. Will grow in confidence the more minutes he gets under his belt. Fielded a Stephen Ryan kickout very well in the first ten minutes which led to a scoring opportunity for his clubmate Brendy Rouine. It’s this ability in the air and his fitness levels that give Josh a real chance of staking a claim, the onus is on him to show what he can do. Continues to make the smart decision on the ball but needs to trust in his ability to make an impact.
Rating: 7
13: Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
Ten points over the hour from Eoin, Clare’s most experienced on the field, emphasised just how important he has been to the county over the last twelve years. The views expressed in our ratings from the Fermanagh game where it was highlighted Cleary was not getting enough of the ball in scoring positions were shared by others and thankfully the Miltown man was given plenty of ball near and not-so near the posts and kicked points for fun. All but one of his shots resulted in scores. His best performance of the league by a distance, all because he was being given the ball in the right place.
Rating: 9
14: Mark McInerney (Éire Óg)
Picking up a knock early in the game hindered Mark’s involvement. He was the first Clare player replaced when he made way with forty five minutes played but managed to score three points before then. Had a wide with his first attempt. His role in Clare’s final three games of the league will be big and it will need to be if they are to put themselves in contention for promotion.
Rating: 6
11: Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey)
In a case of just getting on with it, Aaron is going about his business nice and quietly but is consistently keeping the scoreboard ticking. A five point return saw him score from all angles, following his tally of 1-3 versus Fermanagh, 0-7 against Westmeath in round two and 0-2 in the league opener away to Down. Therefore he has arguably been Clare’s most consistent scorer. Had a brace of two pointers but he was among the most effective for a big Banner finish where they kicked six points in the final eight minutes.
Rating: 8
Subs:
15: Cormac Murray (St Joseph’s Miltown)
Named to start, Cormac was back among the substitutes for the second game running. He only got a four minute window against Fermanagh but was sprung into action with forty five minutes on the clock this time round. It was definitely a case of more time to shine and he did, kicking a two pointer and a point from play to help his cause of getting even more action.
Rating: 7
24: Shane Griffin (Lissycasey)
Had a twenty minute window but Shane’s main impact was of bringing fresh legs to the fold. Seems to have bypassed other panellists in the pecking order for game time, arguably did more versus Fermanagh despite having less time on the field.
Rating: 6
18: Jamie Stack (St Breckan’s)
Cusack Park appearances from the bench have been what Jamie has had to contend with so far in the league. He’s scored in both limited appearances, kicking a point after his introduction with sixty two minutes played against Laois and also managing to reel off a point in his four minute cameo versus Westmeath. He’s showing what he can do and more importantly showing management he is worthy of more minutes.
Rating: 7
