*Shane Neville puts Gearoid O’Grady under pressure. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill The value of experience at championship time was highlighted once again at Cusack Park this Saturday evening as Cratloe recorded their second win of the campaign when they accounted for Kilmihil.
James Curran bursts forward with Jack McInerney chasing after him. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill ST JOSEPH’S DOORA/BAREFIELD must take down “one of the big teams” if they are to carry through on their ambitions of becoming a force at senior level.
COLM COLLINS’ Cratloe began their Clare SFC on a winning note as they survived a strong rally from St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield to move to top of Group 2.
Kilmihil native Declan Downes knows Clare adult football inside out. A member of Colm Collins’ Clare management team for the past number of years, he is well versed on what patrons can expect for the 2022 county senior championship which gets underway on Saturday.
*Sean Collins is this year’s captain for Cratloe. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Since they made the breakthrough when winning the title for the first time in 2013, Cratloe have challenged strongly for both senior football and hurling honours each season with almost the same group of players.
Lissycasey captain, Seamus Collins. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill SEMI-FINALISTS for the last two seasons, Lissycasey buoyant by continued success at underage level, most recently the inaugural U19 championship, head into the new senior campaign with a swagger.
*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.
*Keelan Sexton in action in Croke Park. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION of Clare’s run in the All-Ireland SFC, a number of Colm Collins’ side have headed to the United States.
*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CLARE’s footballers will only begin to close the gap on top counties by making a quarter-final appearance an annual occurrence.
*Cian O’Dea. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Ulster champions, Derry proved a level above Clare in Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final.
