*Ciaran Downes. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
KILMIHIL’s Ciaran Downes has left the Clare senior football panel.
Downes featured in four of Clare’s seven outings in this year’s Allianz National Football League but departed the panel following the county’s relegation from Division 2 to the third tier.
His personal tally amounted to a single goal, this arriving in Clare’s final round victory over Limerick where he started at wing-forward. The UL student was also handed a starting jersey in the second round clash against Meath in Navan.
Ciaran was used as a substitute in the games against Kildare and Louth.
At club and college level, he has shined with Kilmihil and the University of Limerick. His showings in the Sigerson Cup led to his recognition on the Higher Education Rising Stars team of the year with the West Clare man a key component as UL reached Sigerson Cup finals for successive campaigns.
Downes’ importance to Kilmihil was highlighted at the weekend when he kicked 1-05 as they defeated county champions Éire Óg in the Garry Cup.
Clare senior football manager, Colm Collins confirmed to The Clare Echo that Ciaran has exited the panel. “Ciaran is going to America playing football so he has withdrawn from the panel”.
During the Allianz NFL campaign, Corofin’s Gearoid Cahill departed the squad. The primary school teacher had been included in the matchday panel for one of Clare’s league ties but opted out and has been available for his club in their outings for the Cusack Cup and Clare Cup as a result.
Clare begin their Munster SFC bid this Sunday when they welcome Cork to Cusack Park, the quarter-final commences at 2pm.
