Meath put four goals past Clare in first league defeat
*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CONCEDING FOUR GOALS accelerated Clare’s downfall as the county footballers found themselves unable to put back to back wins together.
Cathal O’Connor
It all started in the beloved Ballyea field for Tony Kelly
*Tony Kelly hits a trademark score off his left side. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill BALLYEA’S HURLING FIELD was not just where one of the country’s finest hurlers Tony Kelly honed his craft but also the spot where his greatest friendships and bonds blossomed.
Harnett & Collins call time on Clare football careers
*Kevin Harnett. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill TWO OF CLARE’S most experienced defenders have called time on their inter-county careers.
Clare SFC Expert Final Preview – Cathal O’Connor
Cathal O’Connor. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill FRESH FROM WINNING a second Clare SHC medal with Ballyea, county footballer Cathal O’Connor gave his take on this weekend’s meeting between Éire Óg and Ennistymon.
Hard work always brings the rewards – Robbie Hogan
*Robbie Hogan. Photograph: Natasha Barton PRIDE WAS etched across the face of Robbie Hogan as he watched his Ballyea charges claim a fourth Clare SHC title.
Ballyea bring all battling qualities to the fore to retain Clare SHC title
*Ballyea celebrate at the final whistle. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill BALLYEA HAVE won the Clare SHC for the fourth time, all in the space of six years as they produced a final flurry to break Éire Óg hearts on Sunday afternoon.
‘I’m hardly a Tony Kelly but I do a job’ – Cathal O’Connor
*Ballyea wing-forward, Cathal O’Connor. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill An already novel derby final pairing between Ballyea and Éire Óg also has the distinction of being the first hurling decider to have more players with senior inter-county football experience than the hurling equivalent.
Champions Ballyea march onto last four
*Cathal O’Connor wins the ball in the air for Ballyea. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Holders Ballyea flexed their muscles to progress to a third successive Clare SHC semi-final in on Sunday afternoon.
Podge rues ‘disappointing end’ to footballer’s year
*Podge Collins in action for the Clare senior footballers. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill REACHING AN ALL-IRELAND quarter-final for the first time since 2016 marked a positive campaign for Clare’s senior footballers but the inability to produce consistent displays irked Podge Collins and his teammates.
Clare can dare to dream in Derry encounter
*Captain Eoin Cleary is congratulated following Clare’s quarter-final win. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Honesty, passion, resilience and commitment were some of the key ingredients that saw Clare dramatically come from behind against Roscommon to secure a historic victory and reach the All-Ireland quarter final for the first time since 2016.
