*Dermot Coughlan and Ciaran Downes battle to win possession for Clare. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
A ONE POINT win kicked off Clare’s Division 3 bid in the Allianz National Football League, we take a closer look at how Mark Fitzgerald’s players performed over the course of the clash against Sligo.
Nineteen players featured over the course of Clare’s 0-9 1-5 win over Sligo with Tony McEntee’s side finishing with thirteen men following red cards for Luke Towey and Paul Kilcoyne.
1: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks)
Donning the captain’s role in the absence of Cillian Brennan, Stephen Ryan is among those beginning to demonstrate his leadership qualities. The Kilrush man was comfortable with any dropping ball that came his way, his kickouts were accurate in finding their target. He made a stop to deny a goal seconds before Sean Carrabine’s rebound hit the target and organising his defence is an area that needs further work.
Rating: 7
2: Manus Doherty (Éire Óg)
Aaron Griffin’s winning point arose due to the hard work of his teammates further back the field, among them Manus Doherty. The Éire Óg defender threw himself on the ground to scoop the ball forward which allowed Clare to navigate their way to goal and end up starting the league with a win. He also made the important run to allow Griffin open his account in the first half. Defensively, Doherty kept Niall Murphy scoreless from play.
Rating: 7
3: Ronan Lanigan (Éire Óg)
For a first outing at full-back in the National Football League, Ronan Lanigan was solid. Indeed he was one of the standout players for Clare, making the right decision when in possession and clocking a decent turnover count. There was a nervy moment at the end where he could have lost possession well into additional time that would have gifted Sligo an equaliser if not a winner but the Ennis man used his strength to hold off Sean Carrabine and help Clare hold on for a win.
Rating: 8
4: Micheál Garry (Cooraclare)
More games will continue to stand to Micheál Garry. A second ever league start for the Cooraclare man saw him slot into the full-back line. He brings physicality and his hassling skills were very impressive but has a tendency to combine these two traits to occasionally give away frees and when a corner back is coughing up frees they are giving away scoreable opportunities.
Rating: 6
5: Ikem Ugwueru (Éire Óg)
Clare didn’t create enough scoring opportunities in Sunday’s game but one of their best men to manufacture chances was wing-back Ikem Ugwueru. The Éire Óg man kicked a wide and is still uncomfortable when shooting on goal but he made up for this with his use of the ball and ability to tee his teammates up for scoring chances. His movement forward posed problems for Sligo and he was the man fouled to win a penalty for Clare in the second half. Seanie Buckley’s knowledge of the Ennis man from his time with Éire Óg could be what’s needed to get the best out of Ikem in the Clare colours.
Rating: 8
6: Alan Sweeney (St Breckan’s)
Assuming a place as one of the side’s new leaders is certainly something Alan Sweeney is doing well but to maintain the number six jersey an improvement will be needed. The St Breckan’s man as ever communicated very well with those around him but struggled to catch his man once he found himself on the backfoot and this is something the Doolin man will get to work on.
Rating: 6
7: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
Having made his debut in 2021, Daniel Walsh was one of the more experienced players in the Clare fifteen. His involvement in proceedings was minimal and there is certainly more the Kilmurry Ibrickane man can contribute both in driving forward on counter-attacks and aiding his full-back line.
Rating: 6
8: Gavin Murray (Éire Óg)
Former Westmeath footballer Gavin Murray made his first National Football League appearance for Clare. Had a big role to play in helping Clare to get the winning score, teeing up Aaron Griffin with the assist and this an indicator if any that the engine Gavin had when lining out with Éire Óg could yet come in quite handy in saffron and blue.
Rating: 6
9: Brian McNamara (Cooraclare)
Clare’s new midfield pairing didn’t set the world alight but at the same time their Sligo counterparts didn’t dominate. That said, Clare supporters know Brian McNamara can contribute a lot to the county cause, his lengthy spell on the sidelines with a freak injury last season may be a reason for rustiness but bigger games and displays are likely to follow from the Cooraclare midfielder.
Rating: 6
12: Ciaran Downes (Kilmihil)
At Sigerson Cup and club level, Ciaran Downes’ ability has been clear to see, bringing that form to the Clare seniors remains a challenge but 2024 is likely to see a bit more patience for Downes to translate this form. His work-rate was high as it needs to be but he found himself caught up in possession and overturned. Once he brings his attacking ability to the fore, his importance to the team will grow.
Rating: 5
11: Emmet McMahon (Kildysart)
Conditions favoured Clare in the opening half and if ever a sign was needed of a player that was going to step up it was in the instructions issued by Emmet McMahon to Clare’s management to ensure Sligo had enough footballs not to be wasting time on the kickouts against the breeze. Emmet himself kicked plenty of ball, finishing as Clare’s top scorer and though not deliberately did well to wind down the clock during Aaron Griffin’s black card.
Rating: 8
10: Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
Returning to the fold at wing-forward last year, Dermot Coughlan showed his work-ethic but it appears he has added a greater level of fitness to this whereby he was able to bring the workrate but didn’t find himself substituted as there was still plenty left in the tank. At club level, he was one of the best shooters in the 2023 championship so definitely has the ability to be notching up a few points to go with the miles he is clocking up on the pitch.
Rating: 7
13: Mark McInerney (Éire Óg)
Kicked a point from a free in the opening half but missed a penalty in the second half at a time when a goal would have been a big lift for Clare. His work-rate is rising but can continue to climb. Clare didn’t look like scoring much from play so McInerney & Co in the full-forward line need to do more to became menacing for opposing defences.
Rating: 6
14: Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey)
Kicked an excellent first half point off balance in the opening half and landed the winning score in the second half but Aaron Griffin could have had a more prominent role on proceedings. A lapse in concentration or a moment of weakness saw him black carded seconds into the second half putting his team on the backfoot straight away.
Rating: 6
15: Shane Griffin (Lissycasey)
Arguably a surprise inclusion in the first fifteen, Shane Griffin will need to use the experience from this clash. Maybe it was Clare’s use of the ball but the fact he had less than five possessions in the opening half despite playing with the elements is not a good reflection for the distributors but also for Griffin himself. Was substituted at half-time but will get opportunities in training and the remainder of the league to atone for this appearance.
Rating: 5
Subs:
Clare used four substitutes, Cormac Murray was brought on at half-time for Shane Griffin, Éinne O’Connor replaced Ciaran Downes with fifty nine minutes played, James Curran substituted Brian McNamara with sixty one minutes gone while there was seventy six minutes on the clock when Fergal Guinnane entered the fray for Mark McInerney.
Murray had a couple of possessions but neither of the four made contributions worthy of the headlines.
