Clare miss out on Division 3 promotion after loss to Down

The visitors knew that a win would take them back to a second tier they had graced for seven seasons until relegation this time 12 month ago, but Down had been the form team on this rung of the ladder and they were intent on moving on up instead.

Liam Kerr of Down scores a point against Clare.

Allianz Football League Division 3: Down 3-15 Clare 1-10

The 230-kilometre trip from Ennis to Newry was always going to be a stretch for Mark Fitzgerald’s Clare as they chased an immediate return to Division 3 and, sure enough, it proved to be a step too far.