*Keelan Sexton. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill BOTH OF THIS YEAR’s Clare SFC finalists are reliant on building the play from the back in what Clare forward Keelan Sexton expects to be a very defensive county final.
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.
*Kevin Hehir distributes the ball with Aidan McCarthy behind him. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill INJURIES have been an unfortunate constant of Ennistymon’s memorable run to a first Clare SFC final since 2018 and regrettably for Kevin Hehir, he’s been the latest addition to their long list of casualties.
*Éire Óg’s Manus Doherty works the ball up field from defence. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill WHEN ÉIRE ÓG claimed the Jack Daly in 2021, Manus Doherty was among their standout players, it led to a breakthrough with the Clare senior footballers and the defender is intent to collect another senior title this coming weekend.
*Eoin Cleary shoots on goal. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CLARE senior football captain Eoin Cleary believes an already impressive Éire Óg have brought their standards to a new level this year.
*David Tubridy. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill EXPERIENCED CLARE forward, David Tubridy says Éire Óg’s senior footballers are “a step ahead” of the chasing pack.
*Sean Rouine, Joey Rouine, Brendan Rouine, Ciaran Vaughan, Cillian Rouine, Eoin Rouine. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill WITH NO LESS THAN TEN of the Rouine clan forming part of the Ennistymon panel, to call it a family affair for the football mad North Clare crew is certainly an understatement.
*Mark McInerney on the attack for Éire Óg. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill HE HAS THE PEDIGREE and Mark McInerney is adamant both he and his teammates have the hunger to match it when it comes to their bid to retain the Jack Daly.
*Lawrence Healy leading the way for Ennistymon. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill AN EXPERIENCED HEAD, LAWRENCE Healy will relish the chance to feature on county final day if given the opportunity.
*Darren O’Neill driving on Éire Óg. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill FAR AWAY HILLS are always greener and while time playing club football in Dublin aided Darren O’Neill’s growth, it also fortified his passion for his native Éire Óg.