*Kilmurry Ibrickane’s Daniel Walsh will be part of the UL side. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
EIGHT CLARE FOOTBALLERS will be lining out in this year’s Sigerson Cup.
Reigning champions, University of Galway won the title last year for the first time since 2003. Éire Óg’s Mark McInerney was part of their panel for that success and he’ll be pushing to get game-time for this campaign.
McInerney is a two-time Clare SFC winner with his club and this year was the second highest scorer in the senior football championship, behind his clubmate Gavin Cooney. He is in his third year studying biomedical science in Galway.
Three points was the difference at the final whistle in the decider last year with UL coming up short. They don’t have Kerry ace David Clifford to call upon this year but do have a strong Clare contingent.
Corner forward on Colm Collins’ Clare senior football side, Aaron Griffin of Lissycasey wing forward Emmet McMahon from Kildysart plus fellow county panellists Kilmurry Ibrickane’s Daniel Walsh, Brian McNamara of Cooraclare and Kilmihil forward Ciaran Downes are part of the squad along with Oisin Looney of St Joseph’s Miltown who was introduced as a substitute in last year’s final.
Griffin is in the first year of a masters degree in project management, Walsh who was midfield on UL’s side last season is in the fourth year of a business degree. Looney is also in fourth year but is doing a bachelor of physical education with concurrent teacher education. McMahon is in the final year of his course to become a PE and Maths teacher, Downes is in third year of a mechanical engineering course while McNamara is in second year of a bachelor of engineering in civil engineering degree.
Former Clare U20 defender, Fergal Guinnane who collected a Clare IFC title with his club Kildysart earlier this year is part of the ATU Galway panel. He is in second year of a construction and graphics course.
