*Stephen Ryan takes a Clare kickout. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CLARE’s decision to vary their kickouts has not been forced by the absence of midfielder Darragh Bohannon according to senior football manager Paul Madden.
*Connor Meaney, Dermot Coughlan and Brian McNamara swarm Darragh Galvin. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. PHYSICALLY Clare’s footballers will be able to match any county according to manager Paul Madden.
*Brian McNamara in possession. CLARE’s bright start to their 2026 National Football League campaign was not enough to overcome Down in Newry with a dip in performance in the second half depriving Paul Madden of a winning start as manager.
*Clare in 2026 will have a fourth manager of the senior footballers in as many years. PETER KEANE’s tenure as Clare senior football manager ended officially on Sunday, but it should have come to a halt long before then.
*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. KILRUSH SHAMROCKS are Garry Cup champions for the third time after overcoming St Breckan’s in the Division 2 decider on Friday evening.
*Tadhg Lysaght of Kilrush Shamrocks in action with St Breckans’ Mark O’Donnell. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography. LEAGUE promotion was the main aim for St Breckan’s and Kilrush Shamrocks when they commenced their Garry Cup campaigns, that objective has been achieved and it’s bonus territory to be vying for silverware this weekend.
*Stephen Ryan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill STEPHEN Ryan has returned to Clare’s senior football panel ahead of Sunday’s crunch All-Ireland SFC tie with Louth.
*Daniel Walsh executes a pass. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CLARE’s senior football side need to secure promotion in next year’s Allianz National Football League if they are to aspire of competing in the Sam Maguire.
*Stephen Ryan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CLARE’s senior footballers are to be without vice-captain and first-choice goalkeeper Stephen Ryan for Saturday’s crunch All-Ireland SFC clash with Ulster champions Donegal.
*Emmet McMahon is one of six members of the Clare team to have started in last year’s game. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill FOR THE SECOND year in a row, Clare and Donegal will do battle in the All-Ireland SFC.