*Brian McNamara. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
WITH the opening game in the 2025 Allianz football league just three weeks away, Clare footballers travelled to Askeaton this Saturday afternoon for a challenge game with their Shannonside neighbours.
Originally scheduled for Sunday, a last minute change because of the forecast for very inclement weather, resulted in the fixture being brought forward by twenty four hours.
A proposed match for the senior hurlers was cancelled at the last minute. They were due to play Tipperary in Templemore and while both teams and some spectators were in attendance, a last minute decision was made to cancel the fixture which had been brought forward from its original time of 6p.m. to 2.30p.m. because of the weather forecast.
They will also begin their Allianz league campaign in three weeks time when they will host Kilkenny at Cusack Park. Clare are the current league champions.
The footballers gave game time to twenty three players on Saturday as they recorded a 2-14 to 1-10victory over Limerick in what was their first game under new manager Peter Keane.
Goals from Brian McNamara and Keelan Sexton helped Clare to lead by two points at half time when the score was 2-6 to 1-7.
The football team on Saturday was; Eamonn Tubridy (Doonbeg); Darren Nagle (Liscannor) Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon), Cian Burke (St. Breckans); Cillian McGroary (Corofin), Fionn Kelleher (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield) Alan Sweeney (St Breckans); Brian McNamara (Cooraclare) Sean McAllister (Clondegad); Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Emmett McMahon (Kildysart), Shane Griffin (Lissycasey); Ciaran Downes (Kilmihil) Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey), Darragh Burns (Doonbeg);
Substitutes introduced were Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Rory McMahon (Kildysart), Colm Walsh O’Loghlen (Éire Óg), Evan Cahill (Kilmurry-Ibrickane), Mark McInerney (Éire Óg), Joe Rafferty (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield) Eoghan Casey (Wolfe Tones), Thomas Collins (Lissycasey).
