Banner destiny in own hands

The mission facing the Clare football squad travelling to Aughrim tomorrow is simple. Avoid defeat and they will realise their ambition of securing promotion to Division 3.

Being in charge of shaping their own destiny is hugely pleasing for manager Micheal McDermott.

“It’s brilliant that it’s in our own hands and we don’t have to look anywhere else for favours,” he said.

“It’s a case for ourselves and Wicklow that we’re two horses approaching the final furlong and there’s a great chance there for both sides to get promoted. It’s going to come down to 70 minutes of championship style football.

“There’s a lot of similarities between the two sides in that we have momentum behind [us] after recent games. But the game being on in Aughrim is a factor and playing at home is an advantage for them.”

Since McDermott took the reins for the 2010 season, escaping from the basement division has been an aim for the Banner setup. Yet the Cavan native points to the competitive nature of Division 4 as having been an obstacle towards realising that aim.

“It’s a very competitive division and that’s not something I think is always realised. I mean we have now played seven games and only lost once but we still haven’t secured promotion heading into our last game.

“It’s been shown over the last few years that to get out of Division 4, you need to win at least two or three of your games away from home. And that’s not an easy thing to do.”

Clare have delayed naming their team until tomorrow with attacker Michael O’Shea an injury doubt. McDermott insists the chance to ply their trade in Division 3 is not something they’ve focused on in recent weeks.

“We’re not even thinking about Division 3 and next year, the concentration is on this year’s campaign. Our whole aim has been to achieve things in 2012. Promotion was our first target and we’re very close to realising that now.”