*Clare captain Eoin Cleary. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

Clareโ€™s senior footballers have kicked off their 2021 campaign with a fully merited seven point win.

Clare 1-16
Laois 0-12
Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

Colm Collinsโ€™ footballers have began their competitive action for the year with a deserved 1-16 0-12 win over Laois. A result that never seemed in doubt throughout the seventy minutes in Ennis on Sunday afternoon.

Besides losing Jamie Malone to injury within three minutes, Clare had a largely positive start to proceedings. Gavin Cooney teed up Eoin Cleary for the first point of the game on two minutes and this was followed by white flags from Keelan Sexton and Cathal Oโ€™Connor.

Laois opened their account via Donie Kingston and seven minutes, he had a second point within two minutes.

Daniel Walsh who made his debut for the Clare seniors had his first point on nine minutes. As the half wore on, the Kilmurry Ibrickane made raided for goal with an excellent finish that left Niall Corbett with little chance.

Walshโ€™s strike on twenty five minutes stemmed straight from a Stephen Ryan kickout which was batted down by Darren Oโ€™Neill to his midfield partner Cathal Oโ€™Connor. ร‰ire ร“gโ€™s Cooney was on hand once again to provide the assist with Walsh making no mistaken when given the opportunity. Captain Cleary and Kingston traded scores to leave Clare 1-08 0-05 clear at half-time.

David Tubridy replaced Keelan Sexton at half-time and within moments, the Doonbeg attacker had registered on the board. His placed ball followed that of Cleary while Paul Kingston kept Laoisโ€™ account ticking over.

Pearse Lillis who played in attack for the game, having been primarily in the Banner backline in recent years kicked an excellent point as the tie entered the final quarter. Eoin Cleary would also add a fine white flag from the sideline, while Laois finished out with the final three scores of the evening, it was insufficient to make a major dent on the scoreline.

Daniel Walsh impressed in recent club campaigns for Kilmurry Ibrickane but he really stood up to the mark when making his county senior debut. He scored 1-02 from wing back and added to the overall Clare performance. Lissycaseyโ€™s Aaron Griffin and Ikem Ugwueru of ร‰ire ร“g were also given their first appearances in the senior jersey as Collins continues to test the strength of his panel.

Stiffer tests lie in Clareโ€™s path as the weeks progress but this is most certainly a positive start with Podge Collins and Kevin Harnett among the players still to return to the Banner fold. Alongside Walsh, Eoghan Collins, Pearse Lillis, Eoin Cleary and Cian Oโ€™Dea did best.

Scorers Clare: E Cleary (0-10 5f 1โ€™45), D Walsh (1-02), K Sexton (0-01), C Oโ€™Connor (0-01), D Tubridy (0-01 1f), P Lillis (0-01).

Scorers Laois: D Kingston (0-04 2f), G Walsh (0-03 2f), C Begley (0-02), N Corbett (0-01 1f), P Kingston (0-01), B Byrne (0-01).

Clare:

1: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks)

5: Ciaran Russell (ร‰ire ร“g)
3: Cillian Brennan (Clondegad)
4: Eoghan Collins (Ballyhaunis)

6: Cian Oโ€™Dea (Kilfenora)
17: Sean Collins (Cratloe)
25: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane)

20: Darren Oโ€™Neill (ร‰ire ร“g)
9: Cathal Oโ€™Connor (Coolmeen)

8: Darragh Bohannon (Shannon Gaels)
11: Eoin Cleary (St Josephs Miltown)
10: Pearse Lillis (Cooraclare)

13: Gavin Cooney (ร‰ire ร“g)
12: Jamie Malone (Corofin)
14: Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)

Subs:
15: Joe McGann (St Breckans) for Malone (3) (Inj)
23: David Tubridy (Doonbeg) for Sexton (HT)
7: Alan Sweeney (St Breckans) for E Collins (54)
26: Emmet McMahon (Kildysart) for Oโ€™Neill (54)
18: Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey) for Cooney (63)
19: Cormac Murray (St Josephs Miltown) for Lillis (63)
24: Ikem Ugwueru (ร‰ire ร“g) for Oโ€™Dea (66).

Laois:
1: Niall Corbett (Cluain na Slรญ/Naomh Meanmain)

2: Robert Pigott (Cรบil an tSudaire)
3: Mark Timmons (Graig Chuillinn)
4: Trevor Collins (Graig Chuillinn)

5: Gareth Dillon (Portlaoise)
6: Colm Begley (Srรกidbhaile)
7: Patrick Oโ€™Sullivan (Cรบil an tSudaire)

8: Kieran Lillis (Portlaoise)
9: John Oโ€™Loughlin (Ros Fhionnghlaise)

10: Mark Barry (Na Diomasaigh)
11: Evan Oโ€™Carroll (Crochta Ard)
12: Daniel Oโ€™Reilly (Graig Chuillinn)

13: Eoin Lowry (Gleann Uisean)
14: Donal Kingston (Ard Lios Chilรญn)
15: Paul (Graig Chuillinn)

Subs:
18: Gary Walsh (Baile Uรญ Laigheanรกin) for Oโ€™Reilly (HT)
19: Brian Byrne (Graig Chuillinn) for Lowry (45)
17: Brian Daly(Naomh Seosamh) for Lillis (54)
24: Michael Keogh (Naomh Seosamh) for Barry (54)
21: Eoin Buggie (Srรกidbhaile) for Collins (62)
25: Ross Munnelly (Ard Lios Cill Chrรบis) for P Kingston (66)
22: Shane Bolger (Gleann Uisean) for Timmins (66)

Referee: Seamus Mulvihill (Kerry)

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