*Niall McMahon and Michael Nash jump for the ball as Aidan McGrath and Conor O’Brien await the break. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill SUNDAY’s Cusack Cup final is episode two in the triology of battles between neighbours Éire Óg and St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield this season.
*Éire Óg’s Jarlath Collins. Photograph: Mike Brennan STRENGTH in depth has been a tag attributed to Éire Óg’s footballers all season but it was clear to see on Sunday as they survived a big scare from Adare to seal their place in a second Munster club semi-final in four seasons.
Eimear Considine. Photograph: INPHO/Evan Treacy KILMIHIL’s Eimear Considine has announced her retirement from rugby at the age of thirty three.
*Paul Madden stands before the Éire Óg players. Photograph: Mike Brennan ÉIRE ÓG have scaled the summit of club football in Clare with Paul Madden once again orchestrating their charge to glory.
*Éire Óg’s Dean Ryan. Photograph: Mike Brennan THERE WAS an extra sense of delight with Éire Óg lifting the Jack Daly on Sunday as it marked the first senior championship won by ex Clare footballer Dean Ryan.
*Gavin Cooney offloads the ball as Daryn Callinan gives chase. Photograph: Mike Brennan LABELLED as favourites before a ball was kicked in this year’s Clare SFC, Éire Óg didn’t pay much heed to the tag according to their goal scorer from Sunday’s county final win.
*Mark McInerney takes on Joey Rouine. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. ÉIRE ÓG have begun preparations for a third Clare SFC final in four years but manager Paul Madden is quick to point out they have won nothing yet.
*Éire Óg’s Darren O’Neill. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill ÉIRE ÓG left West Clare with two points on the board and deserving victors against a fancied Kilmurry Ibrickane on Friday evening.
*Éire Óg’s Ronan Lanigan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill REMARKABLY Éire Óg last lost a game in the Clare SFC in 2021 but they are not the holders of the Jack Daly.
*Jarlath Collins shelters possession from Podge McMahon. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill AN ELEVEN point win may have been secured by Éire Óg to kick off their bid to retain the Jack Daly but repeat performances will not suffice in the eyes of their manager Paul Madden.
