Lessons learned as Hayes looks for a 70-minute performance at home to Mayo

It was the toughest draw they could have got, goalkeeper Joe Hayes concedes. No mind, though. Such is Clare’s rising graph, they’re not unduly fazed by Mayo’s impending visit.

Yesterday morning’s third round football qualifier draw had the look a minefield about it for Colm Collins’ charges.

On the menu was Mayo, Donegal or Meath. Difficult to know which would have been the most manageable; a trip to Navan, Castlebar or Ballybofey.