Gary Brennan on Clare’s development plan: ‘It is something we have to work on big time’

The Banner claimed a late win against Kildare on Sunday.

GRIT: Kildare's James McGrath in possession during Sunday's defeat to Clare Photo: Sean Brilly

Keelan Sexton’s late winner against Kildare was just reward for a strong Clare showing, according to former senior star Gary Brennan.

Kildare led by one point as the clock ticked down in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg but Sexton delivered a vital goal before the final whistle to keep their promotion hopes alive.

“It was very impressive grit from Clare,” said Brennan, speaking on the Irish Examiner’s Gaelic football podcast.

“I had a few questions about Clare and considering how well Kildare had been going, I expected Kildare might have too much for them. The sounds I had heard from the Clare camp, and I have a couple of different avenues to hear them, was that they were anxious to test Kildare. They felt they hadn’t really been tested. As for the result or performance, at some point in the second half I said, ‘regardless of the result here, I am pleased with this performance.’” 

Brennan, an All-Star nominee in 2016, retired after the 2020 season. There has been considerable change to the Clare panel since. Peter Keane’s side now rely on new faces who have come to the fore in recent years.

“Dermot Coughlan Sr is over the U17s the last few years and Mikey Neylon, who had good success with Miltown in the Clare championship, was over the 20s the last few years and they were very competitive. They had a lot of good work done. Lads are coming in at a better baseline than when I came in.

“Emmet McMahon, Brian McNamara, Aaron Griffin, Ciaran Downes all played well at Sigerson level recently. My concern for Clare this was Stephen Ryan, our goalkeeper over the last few years, who had really developed into a fine goalkeeper, hasn’t been involved. Darragh Bohannon, our tallest man in the middle, is travelling. Darren O’Neill, another man for height, is not involved any more.

“We are lacking a bit of height and physicality around the middle. But in fairness, Brian McNamara is a fine midfielder and really athletic. A lad from my club, Sean McAllister, he has come in and grown every game. These younger guys have no fear.” 

Last weekend, the county hosted a relaunch of Clare Football’s Development Squads. There is a newly formed sub committee of Coiste na nÓg Peil on board. Brennan is part of this project.

“It is something we have to work on big time. We have some very good people involved, we have some structures, but we need to really improve the product we are offering to our U14s, 15s, 16s.

“There is such a draw from the hurling. There is a group of people in the hurling who have gotten loads of former players, teachers, top coaches involved in their development squads. Guys who were on the fence or may previously have been football first are getting drawn towards hurling development squads now. There is a focus now to give guys an equal opportunity.”