“There is always a sense of optimism and of the unknown at the start of every league campaign”, Clare forward Keelan Sexton outlined.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s opening game in Division 2 of the Allianz league, Sexton who is currently studying for a masters in law at Trinity College in Dublin, says “lads are very excited about Sunday and there is a great vibe in the camp”.
The Kilmurry Ibrickane clubman said that “while we didn’t get the Waterford game in the McGrath cup, we have had a couple of really beneficial challenge games in which we played some quality teams and that has helped to get lads primed nicely for the league”.
That football pundits have predicted that Clare would be relegated over recent years is “more a lack of research on their behalf with regard to Clare football. We don’t pay too much attention to that, maybe it goes into the head as an extra motivation to prove them wrong. We know what level we can play at. We are under no illusions as to how tough Division 2 is. We know we are good enough to be there. That’s what we are aiming to do, to get Clare football as high as possible”.
As far as the talented forward, holder of three Clare senior championship medals with his club, is concerned “we will be approaching this league on a game by game basis and that will be the same for all the teams. One can’t look past the challenge in front of you. Offaly are on a great energiser from the U20 win. They will be full of energy. We have to match that and be up for the challenge. We have to focus on the game and prep as if it’s our last game. Then we will have another week to take the positives, identify the negatives be back in the thick of it again. Teams can’t rest on a win or a loss, they will have to get on to the next fixture”.
Sexton accepts that being involved at this level is “a serious part of life and it would be mental to be doing it if we didn’t love it. It is a great privilege to wear the Clare jersey and it’s something I enjoy. I want to play against the best players in the country. I want to do that and see where I am with these lads. One has to be committed and you have to put everything into it. The lads are all really committed and all work for that. Colm (Collins) and the lads have set the example. They are top quality. Colm has done a lot for Clare football. He has got great people involved, everyone brings their own positives to the group. He has identified that. Hopefully, as a group our aim is to meet those standards and that will bring success”.
“Every fella who gets a jersey is praying to hold on to it. If you do have it it’s great but someone will come in and replace you. We had a lot of options when we got to the quarter final of the championship a few years ago. The teams competing for All-Irelands, they have a squad. This year, there is a ridiculous pool of talent there, and there is serious competition for places which leads to better training sessions and therefore a better team,” according to Sexton.
For now, “the focus is on Sunday, and getting a win. This week is about, concentrating on our game and capitalising on chances on Sunday. If we can start with a win, it’s a massive bonus. Nothing beats winning,” Keelan concluded.
