*Cormac Murray in possession. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
CLARE’s senior footballers will welcome Longford to Cusack Park in two weeks as they enter do-or-die territory in the Tailteann Cup.
Home comforts have yet to stand to Paul Madden’s side in 2026 with one win from five home outings in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg across the year.
They will be looking to begin rectifying that statistic when they host Longford in a fortnight’s time in Round 2B of the Tailteann Cup.
A poor display from Clare on Saturday saw Offaly record their first competitive win of the year at their expense on a score of 1-17 1-14. Offaly have been handed the toughest draw in Round 2A and will face the winners of Down or Leitrim.
Next up for Clare are Longford on May 23rd/24th, a side they will be facing in next year’s National Football League following their promotion from Division 4 where they finished in second spot to Carlow with four wins, a draw and two defeats losing to London and Leitrim.
Longford exited the Leinster SFC in the preliminary quarter-finals, losing 5-25 1-16 to Westmeath. They lost to Fermanagh 1-24 2-17 in Sunday’s Tailteann Cup first round.
Winners of the Clare versus Longford tie will meet one of the four losers from Round 2A of the Tailteann Cup.
Limerick who are coached by Quilty’s Evan Talty and have Dylan Kenny of Shannon Gaels as their S&C coach have been paired away to Wicklow in Round 2B.
Tailteann Cup Round 2A:
Antrim v Tipperary
Fermanagh v Wexford
Offaly v Winner Down or Leitrim
London v Laois
Tailteann Cup Round 2B
Wicklow v Limerick
Clare v Longford
Waterford v Sligo
Loser Down or Leitrim v Carlow
The Round 2A & 2B fixtures will be played on the weekend of May 23-24.
