Clare’s senior footballers have defeated Kildare to secure their Division 2 status for next year.

Clare 1-13
Kildare 0-13
Venue: St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge

In what was the tenth meeting between Clare and Kildare in Newbridge, it is the first time that the Banner County have recorded a win at the venue.

It comes following a powerful second half display where Clare outscored Kildare 1-09 0-04.

Kildare amassed over 70 percent of their first half scores and just under 40 percent of their total tally in the opening quarter and for the remainder of the first half focused on limiting the attacking space on offer to their opponents.

This saw Clare find it difficult to break past Kildare’s half-back line and their endeavours sucked energy out of the Banner tanks.

Scoring opportunities did present themselves to Clare, David Tubridy, Gavin Cooney and Darragh Bohannon found the target while four chances were passed up on.

At the other end, Kildare’s return in the first half was seven from thirteen, the lively Jimmy Hyland racking up three from play to see Jack O’Connor’s men lead 0-07 0-04 at the break.

On the restart, more space was exploited by the Banner and they reaped the rewards for such an approach.

Eoin Cleary kicked his first score of the afternoon on forty one minutes but his involvement in the contest grew from here. The captain would finish with seven points to his name.

An excellent goal chance created by Gavin Cooney was not capitalised on by Keelan Sexton early on but it was a sign of how Clare were beginning to cause problems.

Joe McGann’s introduction really added to this and within six minutes of being on the field, he had the ball in the back of the net when he calmly caught a dropped effort by Cathal O’Connor and slotted home.

McGann’s strike put Clare on level terms, Cleary put them in front for the first time on fifty one minutes and they would not relinquish this advantage for the remainder of the tie.

Cleary, Tubridy and Emmet McMahon fired further white flags to seal a hard-fought win for Clare. On the day, Cillian Brennan, David Tubridy, Pearse Lillis, Eoin Cleary and Cian O’Dea stood out for the winners who guaranteed their place in Division 2 next year before their final group clash with Cork.

Scorers Clare: E Cleary (0-07 4f 1’45), D Tubridy (0-03 2f), J McGann (1-00), G Cooney (0-01), D Bohannon (0-01), E McMahon (0-01)

Scorers Kildare: N Flynn (0-04 2f), J Hyland (0-04), K Feely (0-02), S O’Sullivan (0-02), F Kirwan (0-01)

Clare:
1: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks)

4: Eoghan Collins (Ballyhaunis)
3: Cillian Brennan (Clondegad)
2: Ciaran Russell (Éire Óg)

5: Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora)
6: Sean Collins (Cratloe)
7: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane)

9: Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen)
8: Darren O’Neill (Éire Óg)

12: Darragh Bohannon (Shannon Gaels)
11: Eoin Cleary (St Josephs Miltown)
10: Pearse Lillis (Cooraclare)

13: Gavin Cooney (Éire Óg)
14: David Tubridy (Doonbeg)
15: Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)

Subs:
21: Joe McGann (St Breckans) for Sexton (44)
22: Emmet McMahon (Kildysart) for Bohannon (51)
17: Alan Sweeney (St Breckans) for Walsh (60)
19: Kevin Harnett (Newmarket-on-Fergus) for E Collins (64)
18:Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey) for Cooney (65)
20:Dale Masterson (St Breckans) for Lillis (70)
24: Cormac Murray (St Josephs Miltown) for O’Neill (70)

Kildare:

1: Mark Donnellan (Maigh Nuad)

7: Ryan Houlihan (Achadh Mhordha)
3: Mick O’Grady (Cill Droichid)
2: Mark Dempsey (Achadh Mhordha)

5: Kevin Flynn (Cill Droichid)
4: Eoin Doyle (Nás na Ríogh)
6: Shea Ryan (Na Sáirséalaigh)

14: Kevin Feely (Athí)
9: Aaron Masterson (Achadh Mhordha)

10: Alex Beirne (Nás na Riogh)
8: Luke Flynn (Droichead Baile Sheáin)
12: Paul Cribbin (Droichead Baile Sheáin)

11: Neil Flynn (Maigh Nuad)
15: Darragh Kirwan (Nás na Riogh)
13: Jimmy Hyland (Baile Thaidhg)

Subs:
18: Con Kavanagh (Na Sáirséalaigh) for Ryan (HT)
19: Fergal Conway (Cill Droichid) for Beirne (HT)
17: Darragh Malone (Fiodh Aluine) for Doyle (43) (Inj)
21: Paddy Brophy (Cill Droichid) for Masterson (54)
24: Shane O’Sullivan (Claonadh) for Kirwan (60)
23: Brian McLoughlin (Claonadh) for Cribin (69)

Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford)

Related News

Lunch Time Lifestyle with the Clare Echo Contributers (8)
Welcome July: time to deadhead & bloom on
bus éireann shannon 343 ennis
NTA to announce launch details of Ennis town bus service
tuam national play day 1-2
Tuam to host National Play Day event
Photograph by Eamon Ward
NPWS Discovery van to serve as mobile visitor centre in The Burren

Advertisement

Latest News
1 DSC_9129
Clare will have 'one hell of a shot' in quarter-final with Waterford - Carmody
Lunch Time Lifestyle with the Clare Echo Contributers (8)
Welcome July: time to deadhead & bloom on
inagh kilnamona v clonlara 05-09-21 30 kevin hehir paraic o'loughlin
Inagh/Kilnamona chase first senior title & Clonlara aim to regain silverware
bus éireann shannon 343 ennis
NTA to announce launch details of Ennis town bus service
tuam national play day 1-2
Tuam to host National Play Day event
Premium
1 DSC_9388
'If he wants to stay he will' - seventh season likely for Lohan
ballymacaula 1
Plans lodged for Ennis' largest single-housing development
01052025_Council_Cliffs_of_Moher_0059
Rita represented West Clare 'with integrity & dignity' during term as Cathaoirleach
Éire Óg v ballyea 07-09-24 1 aaron griffin liam corry 1
Finding new players & promotion was primary focus for Ballyea & Éire Óg
waterford v clare minor 28-06-25 tommy kennedy ian o'brien ger o'connell 1
All-Ireland final defeat won't overshadow year for Clare minors

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement