Clare Football 2026: Can the Banner Bounce Back in Division 3?
Clare’s footballers are fighting on two fronts in 2026 — survival in Division 3 and a Munster Championship semi-final against Kerry. After a shaky start to the Allianz Football League, the Banner finally got their first win in Round 3 against Fermanagh. But with four games still to play, there’s a lot of work to do.
Here’s a full breakdown of Clare’s 2026 football season so far, the fixtures ahead, and the key players driving the Banner’s campaign.
Clare Football Division 3 Results 2026
| Round | Date | Fixture | Score | Result |
| 1 | Jan 24 | Down vs Clare | 2-19 to 2-14 | Loss |
| 2 | Feb 1 | Clare vs Westmeath | 1-17 to 2-19 | Loss |
| 3 | Feb 15 | Fermanagh vs Clare | 0-18 to 2-18 | Win |
| 4 | Feb 22 | Clare vs Laois | — | Upcoming |
| 5 | Feb 28 | Limerick vs Clare | — | Upcoming |
| 6 | TBC | Clare vs Wexford | — | Upcoming |
| 7 | TBC | Sligo vs Clare | — | Upcoming |
Record after 3 rounds: 1 win, 2 losses. Clare sit in the bottom half of Division 3 but have games in hand on some rivals.
Round-by-Round Breakdown
Round 1: Down 2-19 Clare 2-14 (Away)
A frustrating opener in Newry. Clare led by five points at half-time thanks to a strong wind-assisted first half. Mark McInerney scored 1-3 before going off injured early in the second half — a huge blow. Down staged a strong comeback, with Odhran Murdock netting a late goal to seal the win. Aaron Griffin and Brian McNamara scored two-pointers for Clare, and goalkeeper Stephen Ryan hit a two-pointer to briefly put Clare ahead late on. But the finish belonged to Down.
Key stat: Clare conceded 2-9 in the second half after leading 2-14 to 1-10 at the break. Second-half collapses have been a recurring problem.
Round 2: Clare 1-17 Westmeath 2-19 (Home)
A disappointing home defeat. Westmeath were the better team for most of the game, leading 1-10 to 0-5 at half-time with Ronan Wallace’s goal on the stroke of the break. Clare fought back brilliantly in the second half — Alan Sweeney scored a goal, and Aaron Griffin landed multiple two-pointers. An Eoin Cleary two-pointer cut the gap to just two points. But Westmeath killed the game with a Brian Cooney goal on the hour mark. Final score: 2-19 to 1-17.
Key stat: Only 1,389 attended. Clare football needs results to bring the crowds back to Cusack Park.
Round 3: Fermanagh 0-18 Clare 2-18 (Away)
The turning point. Clare’s first win of the campaign, and a vital one away from home. Aaron Griffin goaled in the 13th minute after a brilliant interception from captain Cillian Rouine. Mark McInerney was outstanding with 0-8, including crucial two-pointers. Daniel Walsh’s goal in the 60th minute put the result beyond doubt.
Clare dealt with adversity — captain Rouine and midfielder Darragh Bohannon both went off injured in the first half. But the full-back line of Ronan Lanigan, Alan Sweeney, and Manus Doherty was immense, and Ikem Ugwueru impressed at centre-back.
Key stat: Fermanagh didn’t score for the final 11 minutes. Clare’s composure in the closing stages was a massive improvement.
Clare Football Division 3 Table 2026 (After Round 3)
| Team | P | W | L | D | Pts |
| Westmeath | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Wexford | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Down | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Limerick | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Laois | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Sligo | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Clare | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Fermanagh | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Note: Table approximate based on available results. Points scoring system includes bonus points for scoring difference.
Clare need wins in their remaining four games to have any chance of promotion. Realistically, staying in Division 3 is the first priority. A second consecutive home game against Laois on February 22 is a chance to build momentum.
Clare Football Key Players 2026
Mark McInerney (Éire Óg) — Clare’s top scorer and vice-captain. McInerney scored 1-3 against Down (before injury), 0-3 against Westmeath, and 0-8 against Fermanagh. His two-point scoring and free-taking are keeping Clare competitive. Fitness is a concern after the Down injury, but he started both subsequent games.
Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown) — The talisman. Cleary has been Clare’s leading footballer for years and remains their creative heartbeat. Scored 0-3 in all three games, including two-pointers against Westmeath and Fermanagh. At 29, he’s in his prime and Clare’s biggest threat from play.
Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey) — The form forward. Griffin scored 1-4 against Fermanagh and 0-7 against Westmeath. His pace and direct running cause problems for every defence he faces. A genuine match-winner on his day.
Ikem Ugwueru (Éire Óg) — The athletic centre-back has been one of Clare’s most consistent performers. His ball-carrying and tackling have added a new dimension to Clare’s defence.
Stephen Ryan (GK) — The goalkeeper scored a two-pointer against Down and made a match-saving smother against Fermanagh. Modern goalkeepers need to be comfortable on the ball — Ryan is exactly that.
Clare Football 2026 Remaining Fixtures
| Round | Date | Fixture | Venue |
| 4 | Feb 22 | Clare vs Laois | Cusack Park, Ennis |
| 5 | Feb 28 | Limerick vs Clare | Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale |
| 6 | TBC | Clare vs Wexford | Cusack Park, Ennis |
| 7 | TBC | Sligo vs Clare | Markievicz Park, Sligo |
The Laois game at home is crucial — it’s Clare’s best chance of building a winning run. The Limerick derby on February 28 is always competitive. Wexford at home and Sligo away are tough but winnable.
Clare Munster Football Championship 2026
Beyond the league, Clare’s biggest game of 2026 arrives on Saturday, April 25:
Munster SFC Semi-Final: Kerry vs Clare — Cusack Park, Ennis, 2:00pm
Kerry, the reigning All-Ireland champions, travel to Ennis. It’s a massive occasion for Clare football — a home semi-final against the best team in the country. Clare’s record against Kerry in championship is poor, but home advantage and the unique atmosphere at Cusack Park give them a puncher’s chance.
A strong finish to the league campaign would give Clare confidence and momentum heading into that Kerry game. Everything in the next six weeks is building towards April 25.