*Shane O’Donnell. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
STANDOUT showings from Mark Rodgers and Shane O’Donnell though they didn’t play the full game helped Clare to National League glory and leaves the camp in high spirits ahead of the Munster SHC.
Clare deservingly claimed Division 1B honours following a seventh win in as many outings during the stint in the second tier.
Eoin Brennan reviews the Clare performances following Sunday’s 2-26 3-20 win over Dublin.
1: Eibhear Quilligan
Despite seeing three goalkeepers in action throughout the National League, the Feakle stopper, who bounced back from a serious knee injury ahead of schedule in January, remains the undoubted number one, highlighted by his top drawer full length save to tip Cian O’Sullivan’s goalbound equalising shot over the bar in the final minutes. Couldn’t do much about any of the three goals but great to see him barrage his last line as all three were eminently preventable.
Rating: 7
2: Rory Hayes
A welcome return for the Wolfe Tones defender who certainly had an eventful final. Injury meant that he had missed the last four matches and two months of action but while he received an extremely harsh black card after only six minutes, Hayes never let it affect his performance. Upon his return, he excelled as the most effective member of the last line and that display couldn’t have been any better timed only a fortnight away from the Munster opener.
Rating: 8
3: Conor Cleary
Like a mixture between Dancing with the Stars and WWE Smackdown, Conor Cleary and John Hetherton were consistently wrestling and grappling each other over the full 70 minutes. While the full-back didn’t hit a lot of ball, crucial neither did his marker as unquestionably Cleary won the ground and aerial battle. Hitherto did unleash an unstoppable early penalty but that was the height of his influence as Conor was determined to lift a second Division 1 crown in three years.
Rating: 7
4: Conor Leen
The Corofin defender has had a real seesaw league campaign, largely dogged by persistent injuries that has meant that supporters have only seen flashes of the 2024 All-Ireland winning form that earned him an All-Star nomination is his debut season. Again had to be brought off early through injury that potentially could have hampered his entire game as Leen found it difficult to get to the pitch of a lively Dublin inside line. Hard to decipher if he requires a rest or a reset.
Rating: 6
5: Diarmuid Ryan
Another to miss as many league matches as he played up to the final thanks to a niggly injuries but was back to his marauding best on Sunday. Firmly put to bed any immediate talk of the Cratloe man starring at centre-back as he is invaluable to the side as a box-to-box wing-back. With a bit more patience from the referee, Ryan would have grabbed an early goal but when needed most, he popped up with three points in the final quarter to show his flagging forwards the way.
Rating: 8
6: Niall O’Farrell
What a National League it has been for the Broadford talisman who got the county call after a hugely impressive club campaign. Played up front against Cork in the Munster League but made his starting National League debut at wing-back against Down, scoring two points in the process. Played in three of the last four matches, all in the backs, before anchoring the defence at centre-back in his biggest inter-county match to date. At this rate, he’ll be captain by the Munster Final.
Rating: 7
7: Cathal Malone
One of only a handful of players to feature in all seven league matches this year and along from Mark Rodgers and Shane Meehan will also be in the shake up for Clare’s Player of the League as well. This wasn’t one of his most influential displays but that’s probably due to the lofty standards he consistently sets. Made a vital early interception to prevent Dublin from scoring a second goal and also halted any comeback from the Leinster side by winning a late free for Peter Duggan to arrow over.
Rating: 7
8: Darragh Lohan
Was an ever-present for the first two and a half matches, scoring four points in the process This was Darragh Lohan’s first competitive match in two months though but it didn’t show as he provided a physical presence around the centre that had been slightly lacking in s few of the bigger tests at the group stages. Did tire though and would be replaced entering the final quarter by John Conlon who switched to the half-back line while Cathal Malone reverted to midfield.
Rating: 7
9. Ryan Taylor
Initially took time to settle and both midfielders found Conor Donohue difficult to curb on his way to four points from play. However, once Clooney/Quin club mate Peter Duggan teed him up for a point just before the break, Taylor received a new lease of life. Especially when Clare were under most pressure in a scrappy second period against the conditions, he would be one of the key resistors, even raiding for a second point nearing the three-quarters mark to restore an eight point lead.
Rating: 7
10: Peter Duggan
His 17th minute interception and score epitomised Duggan’s value as while this wasn’t a swashbuckling scoring display, his incessant running and playmaking skills were invaluable to Clare’s cause. Directly set up additional points for Shane Meehan and Ryan Taylor; won a free that Mark Rodgers converted before taking over the freetaking duties himself upon Rodgers’ premature retirement where he proved just an unerring with three pointed frees in the final twenty minutes.
Rating: 8
11: David Reidy
A sixth National League appearance of the campaign for the experienced Reidy and more importantly was the second in succession that he completed a full 70 plus minutes which is encouraging ahead of the start of the provincial series in the coming weeks. The only downside is that the Éire Óg star didn’t get on the scoreboard for the first time in 2026 but what he lacked in points, he made up for in playmaking and assists including a superb early pass for a Rodgers point.
Rating: 7
12: David Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald was Clare’s top performer in their National League Division 1A triumph two years ago but while he also saw action in all seven matches for the 1B equivalent, the final itself didn’t exactly go according to plan. Scored 2-5 at the group stages but uncharacteristically wasn’t an attacking threat on Sunday. Did win a late first half free that Rodgers converted from 60 metres but would be withdrawn at the break alongside Shane O’Donnell to be replaced by Jack O’Neill.
Rating: 6
15: Mark Rodgers
Even though he only played 50 minutes, the Scariff attacker was clearly the man of the match, having not only scored twelve points, nine from frees but just as much to do with his liveliness inside that saw him win most 50/50 balls. Two of his frees, he won himself while Rodgers even tracked back to his own half-back line to produce a timely interception and prevent a Dublin goal chance. Unfortunately went over on his ankle and had to hobble off. Fingers crossed it’s not too serious.
Rating: 9
14: Shane O’Donnell
Only played 13 minutes of action in 2026 leading into the final but provided an immediate reminder of what Clare and indeed hurling supporters in general were missing as he negated Rory Hayes’ black card with a solo goal in the eighth minute and followed up with a point from play. Almost teed up Diarmuid Ryan for a goal but did win three frees as he tormented Dublin’a last line who all had a go in vein at shadowing him. Sad to see him withdrawn due to injury at half-time.
Rating: 9
13: Shane Meehan
That the Bannerman finished as Clare’s most used player, not to mention the overall Division 1B top scorer from play with 3-16 is a ringing endorsement of how valuable he now is to Brian Lohan’s side. Indeed, it’s a testament of the management’s faith in him that he was an ever-present, lighting up the final on Sunday alongside fellow inside men Rodgers and O’Donnell to combine for 2-13. Scored 1-3 himself including a wondergoal but did fade in the second period.
Rating: 8
Subs:
19: Ian Galvin
Having grabbed two points against Wexford in a 15 minute salvo, experienced performer Galvin got his biggest shift to date when coming on for Shane O’Donnell for the second half. Had big boots to fill and took time to get into his stride but did settle with a point while also winning a free for Duggan to arrow over for his first post-Rodgers free.
Rating: 6
21: Jack O’Neill
Worked hard but there has never been any questions about his endeavour. Perhaps heeded to be more impactful on the scoreboard or in assisting the movement of the scoreboard as Clare eventually had to rely on wing-back Diarmuid Ryan to score a trio of points albeit that O’Neill did aid one of them.
Rating: 6
20: Diarmuid Stritch
Still Clare’s best newcomer that will be expected to also stand tall in the Munster series as he seized his opportunity with the injury to Rodgers to come on and influence matters from centre-forward. Worked back as well coming out with possession from defence. Like a duck to water on the big stage.
Rating: 7
17: John Conlon
Another important substitution as Clare’s most experienced player did steady the ship at a vital time as Dublin were beginning to gather momentum and no better buachaill to clip wings than the Clonlara stalwart.
Rating: 7
24: Daithi Lohan
Came on for the injured Conor Leen late on to become the 37th different panelist to see National League action in 2026. Had to be alert from his entrance as Dublin were baying for blood in those final minutes.
Rating: 6
