*Mark McInerney tries to get away from Ronan Sweeney. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. BACK TO back defeats have ended Clare’s year with a first run in the Tailteann Cup coming to a halt at the first hurdle.
*Clare midfielder, Brian McNamara. CLARE’S footballers are in must-win territory if they are to keep their season alive.
*Clare’s footballers stand for the national anthem. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. Football Championship coverage brought to you in association with Martin Daly Autos FLAT, lifeless and lethargic, Clare’s sixth defeat of the year between league, championship and the Tailteann Cup was up their as their most disappointing.
*Cormac Murray in possession. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. CLARE’s senior footballers will welcome Longford to Cusack Park in two weeks as they enter do-or-die territory in the Tailteann Cup.
*Fionn Kelleher drives forward for Clare. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. CLARE’s Tailtean Cup campaign has started off on the worst possible note, losing by three points to an Offaly side who had lost in all their competitive outings so far this year prior to this encounter.
*Seán McAllister. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Football Championship coverage brought to you in association with Martin Daly Autos BOTH EMMET McMahon and Seán McAllister are on their mend with their respective injuries but won’t be available for selection for Clare’s senior footballers this weekend.
*Eoin Cleary. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. Football Championship coverage brought to you in association with Martin Daly Autos CLARE’s senior footballers will be without their most experienced player for Saturday’s Tailteann Cup opener.
*Michael Nash. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. MICHAEL NASH has departed the Clare senior football squad.
*Harry O’Gorman. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. SIX MEMBERS of the Clare U20 football side have been added to a training squad with the county’s senior footballers.
*Paul Madden. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. CLARE’s senior footballers “were as good” as Kerry in Saturday’s Munster semi-final according to manager Paul Madden who was left “bitterly disappointed” by “blatant screening” which led to decisive scores.