Vital outing for Clare footballers

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE’S SENIOR footballers will have their first run-out since the disappointing Munster final defeat to Kerry when they welcome Donegal to Ennis.

Cusack Park hosts Saturday’s tie which commences at 2pm and is an unfortunate clash with Clare’s outing in the All-Ireland minor hurling semi-final.

In what is viewed as a defining game of Clare’s All-Ireland SFC campaign, Colm Collins’ will know they have to win if they are to have aspirations of building on last year’s race for the Sam Maguire which saw them reach the quarter-finals for the second time since 2016.

Cian O’Dea who missed the wins over Cork and Limerick in the Munster SFC and was introduced as a substitute in the fourteen point loss to Kerry is back in the reckoning for a starting jersey.

O’Dea is among one of the likely changes to the Clare side. Éire Óg’s Gavin Cooney will hope to push himself into contention for a role in the Banner attack while Brian McNamara who made his championship debut in the Munster Final is continuing to climb up the ranks.

With further ties against Monaghan and Derry, Clare will

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“It’s disappointing. The decision in the first half was it, that was the game done and dusted so it was. If you look at the first half we had 23 shots to their 15. We were well in control of the game, we had the chances. Once the sending off came, we were in a bit of trouble. There was no comparison in the second half. Clare outhurled us, outplayed us and were better than us in the second half 110%.

“From a Waterford point of view and I say this quite clearly, the respect I have for the [Clare] players is massive and I wish the players all the best. They are a great bunch of players so from everyone in Water- ford, we wish them all the best.

“On our own side, we know we have one or two issues to dig deep with and sort out. We knew that after the Cork game. We know we’re going to get a bit of stick back at home and we deserve it and that’s fine but we’re not going to run from the issues. We know what they are, we’re going to deal with them and we’re going to come back fighting better than ever.

“The Clare people will relate to this greatly, in 1993 and ‘94 we got absolutely hockeyed and I mean hockeyed and we had the character.

"If you look back at that bit of history, you will see you never throw in the towel and you come back. We can do the same."

INAMONA, FEAKLE, MILLS & BLUES AMONG WINNERS

not view the task of Donegal lightly but will know their chances will be boosted if they get off to a winning start in the All-Ireland SFC series. Galway’s James Molloy has been appointed as the referee for Saturday’s fixture.