Galway on guard for rare clash with Clare in Salthill

A novel pairing, as Galway and Clare senior footballers lock horns this Sunday at Pearse Stadium (2pm) in the National League for the first time in over two decades.

Galway were at a low-ebb in its history back in 1995, and, on their way to relegation to the third flight of the League, they lost out to Clare, who were promoted.

That’s ancient history, though. So, too is the fact that Galway haVE beaten their southern neighbours on 15 occasions in the league, losing just three times.

But history and tradition will count for nothing in this Division Two clash: The last time these two teams squared-off in the league was 22 years ago when many of the Galway and Clare panels weren’t even born.

Of more relevance is the form carried into this weekend by the respective outfits, who are both very much in contention for promotion to Division One.

Both sides came unstuck in the All-Ireland quarter-final at Croke Park last season – Galway fell to Tipperary and Kerry got the better of Clare, who were appearing in the last-eight for the first time.

There is no doubt that the Banner County are on an upward curve. And under manager Colm Collins, who has led a quiet revolution in a county more known for hurling, progress has been steady.

Before a ball was kicked in early February, Clare was touted as many people’s favourite to be relegated, but the 2016 Division Three winners have shown in their first two league outings that they are in the second tier on merit.

This is where Clare footballers have wanted to be for years – mixing it with quality, traditional footballing counties – and now that they are there, they’re relishing it.

They were unlucky not to come away with victory in Celtic Park the first day out, when Derry, who were missing the Slaughtneil men, snatched a draw and a vital League point, with a late score to level the match 0-11 to 1-8.

But back in Cusack Park the following week, the men in blue and saffron saw off the challenge of Down, with a comprehensive 2-11 to 0-11 triumph.

Collins is on record as treating “every game as a cup final” and will target the Galway match as one where Clare can pick up points.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.