โ€œThere is always a sense of optimism and of the unknown at the start of every league campaignโ€, Clare forward Keelan Sexton outlined.

Looking ahead to Sundayโ€™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 โ€œlads are very excited about Sunday and there is a great vibe in the campโ€.

The Kilmurry Ibrickane clubman said that โ€œwhile we didnโ€™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 leagueโ€.

That football pundits have predicted that Clare would be relegated over recent years is โ€œmore a lack of research on their behalf with regard to Clare football. We donโ€™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. Thatโ€™s what we are aiming to do, to get Clare football as high as possibleโ€.

As far as the talented forward, holder of three Clare senior championship medals with his club, is concerned โ€œwe will be approaching this league on a game by game basis and that will be the same for all the teams. One canโ€™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 itโ€™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 canโ€™t rest on a win or a loss, they will have to get on to the next fixtureโ€.

Sexton accepts that being involved at this level is โ€œa serious part of life and it would be mental to be doing it if we didnโ€™t love it. It is a great privilege to wear the Clare jersey and itโ€™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 successโ€.

โ€œEvery fella who gets a jersey is praying to hold on to it. If you do have it itโ€™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,โ€ according to Sexton.

For now, โ€œthe 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, itโ€™s a massive bonus. Nothing beats winning,โ€ Keelan concluded.

Related News

joe cooney 1
Cooney criticises judicial review process for delaying major infrastructural projects in Clare
leona cusack 1
Shannon woman's family 'haunted' by fear she did not receive medication in time
Screenshot 2025-10-16 111517
Clare Echo Halloween photo contest
john moran jennifer carroll macneill patrick o'donovan 1
Minister says option from HIQA review will be decided before Christmas
Latest News
clarecastle v tubber 21-09-25 ger o'loughlin 1
Sparrow's Clarecastle not overburdened with pressure ahead of chance to seal senior return
conor cusack damien tansey 1-2
Narrative verdict recorded at inquest into death of Shannon woman following breach in HSE sepsis protocol at UHL
joe cooney 1
Cooney criticises judicial review process for delaying major infrastructural projects in Clare
micheรกl duffy 2
Sitting officials linked with Head of Operations vacancy in Clare GAA
corofin v cooraclare 12-10-25 harry o'gorman 2
Youthful Cooraclare can learn from final showing - Daly
Premium
Narrative verdict recorded at inquest into death of Shannon woman following breach in HSE sepsis protocol at UHL
Sitting officials linked with Head of Operations vacancy in Clare GAA
Youthful Cooraclare can learn from final showing - Daly
Murray flying high as he collects second Clare SFC medal with ร‰ire ร“g
Shannon woman's family 'haunted' by fear she did not receive medication in time

Advertisement

Subscribe for just โ‚ฌ3 per month

If youโ€™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 โ‚ฌ3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter โ‚ฌ8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.