Clare Senior Football Championship
| Clare Senior Football Championship | |
|---|---|
| Current season or competition: File:Current event clock.svg 2025 Clare Senior Football Championship | |
| Irish | Craobh Sinsearach Peile an Chláir |
| Code | Gaelic Football |
| Founded | 1887 |
| Region | File:Colours of Clare.svg Clare (GAA) |
| Trophy | Jack Daly Cup |
| No. of teams | 12 |
| Title holders | File:Colours of Cork.svg Éire Óg (22nd title) |
| Most titles | File:Colours of Cork.svg Éire Óg (22 titles) |
| Sponsors | TUS |
| Motto | There is no hero like a local hero |
| Official website | clare |
The Clare Senior Football Championship (abbreviated to Clare SFC) is an annual GAA club competition organised by Clare GAA for top twelve gaelic football clubs in County Clare, Ireland. It is most prestigious competition in Clare football. The Clare SFC final is usually held in the month of October at Cusack Park in Ennis.
The Clare SHC and Clare SFC begin once both the Clare hurling team and Clare football team have concluded their respective inter-county campaigns. Both championships run concurrently on opposite weekends to cater for dual clubs competing in both codes.
In 2014 Cratloe completed a historic first Clare Senior Championship "Double" for their club, and the first in Clare for eighty-five years since the famous Ennis Dalcassians in 1929.[1]
In 2016 the Clare County Board decided that from 2019 onwards the Clare senior and intermediate championships would both become revamped twelve-team competitions in an effort to make both more competitive. This meant that five clubs would lose their senior status and be relegated down to intermediate. The eleven remaining senior clubs would be joined by the 2018 intermediate champions to form the new senior championship. 2018 saw the relegation of Doora-Barefield, Kilfenora, O'Curry's, St. Breckan's and Wolfe Tones down to intermediate for 2019. As part of this decision a pathway was left open for any amalgamations that wished to enter the senior championship and would be immune from relegation.[2] In 2019 two intermediate clubs from the Loop Head Peninsula – Naomh Eoin & O'Curry's – took up this opportunity.
In 2025 Éire Óg completed a historic first Clare Senior Championship "Double" for the town of Ennis in ninety-six years and emulate their predecessors Ennis Dalcassians from 1890, 1911, 1914, and 1929.[3]
The winners of the Clare SFC each year are presented with the Jack Daly Cup, and represent Clare in the Munster Senior Club Football Championship and possibly the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship as the Clare champions.
The current (2025) champions and holders of the Jack Daly Cup are Éire Óg who defeated their neighbours and local rivals Doora-Barefield by 1-16 to 2-06 at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg in Ennis. This was the club's fourth title in five years and moved them one clear of Kilrush Shamrocks at the top of the Clare SFC Roll of Honour with twenty-two titles.
Munster & All-Ireland club qualification
[edit | edit source]Munster club championship
[edit | edit source]Two Clare clubs have won the Munster Senior Club Football Championship:
- Having lost both the 1972 and 1983 finals to Nemo Rangers (Cork), and the 1991 final to Dr. Croke's (Kerry), Doonbeg won the 1998 Munster senior club title, beating Moyle Rovers (Tipperary) in the final after a replay. They lost to Ballina Stephenites (Mayo) in the All-Ireland senior club semi-final. They were denied back-to-back Munster titles when they lost the 1999 final to University College Cork (Cork).
- Having lost the 1993 final to Nemo Rangers (Cork), Kilmurry Ibrickane won the 2004 Munster senior club title, beating Stradbally (Waterford) in the final after a replay. They lost to Ballina Stephenites (Mayo) in the All-Ireland senior club semi-final. Kilmurry Ibrickane lost the 2008 final to Dromcollogher-Broadford (Limerick), however they reversed that result the following year to win the 2009 Munster senior club title. They beat Portlaoise (Laois) on their way to the 2010 All-Ireland senior club final.
Five more Clare clubs have reached the Munster senior club final:
- Cooraclare lost the 1964 final to Shannon Rangers (Kerry).
- Kilrush Shamrocks reached three finals in four years, but lost to Nemo Rangers (Cork) in both 1978 and 1981, and to St. Finbarr's (Cork) in 1979.
- St. Senan's have reached four finals, but lost to Castlehaven (Cork) in 1989, O'Donovan Rossa (Cork) in 1992, An Ghaeltacht (Kerry) in 2003, and Nemo Rangers (Cork) in 2005.
- Cratloe lost the 2013 final to Dr. Croke's (Kerry).
- Miltown Malbay lost the 2018 final to Dr. Croke's (Kerry).
All-Ireland club championship
[edit | edit source]One Clare club has reached the All-Ireland senior club final:
- Kilmurry Ibrickane lost the 2010 final to St. Gall's (Antrim) at Croke Park, Dublin.
No Clare club has won the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship.
2026 Senior clubs
[edit | edit source]The twelve team competing in the 2026 Clare Senior Football Championship are:
| Club | Location | Colours | Titles | Last title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:Colours of Cork.svg Corofin | Corofin | Red & White | 0 | – |
| File:Colours of Laois.svg Cratloe | Cratloe | Blue & White | 3 | 2023 |
| File:Colours of Sligo.svg Doonbeg | Doonbeg | Black & White | 18 | 2010 |
| File:Colours of Cork.svg Éire Óg, Ennis | Ennis | Red & White | 22 | 2025 |
| File:White Black GAA Flag.png Ennistymon | Ennistymon | White & Black | 0 | – |
| File:Colours of Dublin.svg Kildysart | Kildysart | Sky Blue & Navy | 1 | 1889 |
| File:Colours of Kerry.svg Kilmihil | Kilmihil | Green & Yellow | 2 | 1980 |
| File:Colours of Mayo.svg Kilmurry Ibrickane | Quilty | Green & Red | 16 | 2020 |
| File:Colours of Galway.svg Lissycasey | Lissycasey | Maroon & White | 1 | 2007 |
| File:Colours of Galway.svg St. Breckan's, Lisdoonvarna | Lisdoonvarna | Maroon & White | 0 | – |
| File:Colours of Galway.svg St. Joseph's, Doora-Barefield | Doora / Barefield | Maroon & White | 1 | 1898 |
| File:Maroon Gold GAA Flag.png St. Joseph's, Miltown Malbay | Miltown Malbay | Claret & Amber | 15 | 2019 |
Venues
[edit | edit source]Early rounds
[edit | edit source]Fixtures in the opening rounds of the championship are usually played at a neutral venue that is deemed halfway between the participating teams. Some of the more common venues include Clarecastle GAA Grounds, Cooraclare GAA Grounds, Hennessy Memorial Park, Páirc Finne, Páirc na Muintire, Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Páirc Uí Seancháin and St. Michael’s Park. Cusack Park in Ennis also hosts several double-headers in the early rounds of the championship.
Later stages
[edit | edit source]The semi-finals and final are usually played at Cusack Park in Ennis. Named after the founder of the GAA, Michael Cusack, the ground has a capacity of just over 20,000. In 2017 a major renovation of the stadium was completed which included the demolition and re-erection of the main stand and construction of a new entrance at the north side of the stadium.
Winning managers since 1990
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Trophy
[edit | edit source]The winning team is presented with the Jack Daly Cup. A native of Ennis and life-long member of Éire Óg, John (Jack) Daly (1938-2020) lined out at full-forward for Éire Óg when they won the 1957 Clare Senior Hurling Championship. In 1963 he became the youngest ever chairman of the Clare County Board, serving two terms in the role. In 1965 he became the Clare GAA representative on the GAA Central Council until 1970. He was hugely supportive of Clare football and his willingness to donate a trophy for the 1969 Clare Senior Football Championship is testament to this. Mr Daly also donated a second trophy for the 1980 Clare Senior Football Championship after Kilrush Shamrocks completed a historic five-in-a-row from 1975 to 1979, and kept the originally trophy. The third version of the Jack Daly Cup was donated by the Daly family in 2024.[4]
Roll of honour
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List of Clare SFC finals
[edit | edit source]Munster Club Champions Munster Club Finalists
- North Clare were an amalgamation similar to the modern-day divisional teams seen in Cork and Kerry. North Clare drew it's players from the Ballyvaughan-Fanore, Corofin, Ennistymon, Kilfenora, Liscannor, Michael Cusack's and St. Breckan's clubs. They competed together at senior level when they were all competing individually at intermediate or junior level. North Clare lost the 1934, 1977 and 1978 senior football finals to Kilrush Shamrocks.
- In late 1943, after Ennis Dalcassians won the junior A football final, they offered an opportunity to any players from their neighbours and fellow junior club, Doora-Barefield, to join with them and compete for titles at a higher level in both codes. Ennis Faughs won the 1947 senior football final against Clohanes. Ennis Faughs won back-to-back titles against O'Curry's in the 1948 senior football final. This agreement continued when Ennis Dalcassians became Éire Óg in 1952. Ennis Faughs contested four consecutive senior football finals from 1952 to 1955, winning both the 1952 and 1954 senior football finals against Kilrush Shamrocks. Ennis Faughs disbanded after losing the 1955 senior football final replay to Doonbeg.
- In late 1992, Éire Óg once again offered an opportunity to any players from their neighbours and fellow intermediate club, Doora-Barefield, to join with them and try to replicate their previous successes at senior level. Ennis Faughs won the 1994 senior football final replay against Kilrush Shamrocks. Ennis Faughs were denied back-to-back titles when they lost the 1995 senior football final to Doonbeg. When Éire Óg won the 1995 intermediate football final, Ennis Faughs were once again disbanded. Doora-Barefield later won the 1997 intermediate football final.
Records and statistics
[edit | edit source]The "Double"
[edit | edit source]The following clubs have won both the Clare Senior Football Championship and Clare Senior Hurling Championship in the same year:
- Four times by File:Colours of Laois.svg Ennis Dalcassianss (1890, 1911, 1914 & 1929)
- Once by File:Colours of Laois.svg Cratloe (2014)
- Once by File:Colours of Cork.svg Éire Óg, Ennis (2025)
Consecutive championships
[edit | edit source]- 5-in-a-row:
- 3-in-a-row:
- Twice by File:Colours of Sligo.svg Doonbeg (1967–1969) & (1972–1974)
- Once by File:Colours of Laois.svg Ennis Dalcassians (1909–1911)
By decade
[edit | edit source]The most successful team of each decade, judged by number of Clare Senior Football Championship titles they won, is as follows:
- 1880s: Two titles for File:Blue Gold GAA Flag.png Newmarket-on-Fergus (1887, 1888)
- 1890s: Three titles for File:Colours of Laois.svg Ennis Dalcassians (1890, 1897, 1899)
- 1900s: Three titles for File:Colours of Laois.svg Ennis Dalcassians (1904, 1907, 1909)
- 1910s: Four titles for File:Colours of Laois.svg Ennis Dalcassians (1910, 1911, 1913, 1914)
- 1920s: Three titles for File:Maroon Gold GAA Flag.png St. Joseph's, Miltown Malbay (1923, 1925, 1927)
- 1930s: Five titles for File:Colours of Limerick.svg Kilrush Shamrocks (1930, 1931, 1934, 1937, 1938)
- 1940s: Two titles for File:White Green GAA Flag.png Ennis Faughs (1947, 1948)
- 1950s: Three titles for File:Colours of Limerick.svg Kilrush Shamrocks (1951, 1957, 1958)
- 1960s: Four titles for File:Colours of Sligo.svg Doonbeg (1961, 1967, 1968, 1969)
- 1970s: Five titles for File:Colours of Limerick.svg Kilrush Shamrocks (1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979)
- 1980s: Three titles for File:Colours of Sligo.svg Doonbeg (1982, 1983, 1988)
- 1990s: Five titles for File:Colours of Sligo.svg Doonbeg (1991, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999)
- 2000s: Four titles for File:Colours of Mayo.svg Kilmurry Ibrickane (2002, 2004, 2008, 2009)
- 2010s: Four titles for File:Colours of Mayo.svg Kilmurry Ibrickane (2011, 2012, 2016, 2017)
- 2020s: Four titles for File:Colours of Cork.svg Éire Óg, Ennis (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025)
Barren spells
[edit | edit source]The longest gaps between successive Clare Senior Football Championship titles are:
- 70 years: File:Colours of Cork.svg Shannon Gaels, Labasheeda (1900–1970)
- 42 years: File:Colours of Laois.svg St. Senan's, Kilkee (1942–1984)
- 40 years: File:Colours of Cork.svg Éire Óg, Ennis (1954–1994)
- 30 years: File:Colours of Mayo.svg Kilmurry Ibrickane (1933–1963)
- 27 years: File:Colours of Dublin.svg Cooraclare (1918–1945) & File:Colours of Mayo.svg Kilmurry Ibrickane (1966–1993)
- 26 years: File:Maroon Gold GAA Flag.png St. Joseph's, Miltown Malbay (1959–1985)
- 25 years: File:Maroon Gold GAA Flag.png St. Joseph's, Miltown Malbay (1990–2015)
- 21 years: File:Colours of Dublin.svg Cooraclare (1965–1986)
- 17 years: File:Maroon Gold GAA Flag.png St. Joseph's, Miltown Malbay (1932–1949)
- 15 years: File:Colours of Laois.svg Ennis Dalcassians (1914–1929) & File:Colours of Cork.svg Éire Óg, Ennis (2006–2021)
- 14 years: File:Colours of Laois.svg St. Senan's, Kilkee (1928–1942)
- 13 years: File:Colours of Limerick.svg Kilrush Shamrocks (1938–1951 & 1962–1975)
- 12 years: File:Colours of Limerick.svg Kilrush Shamrocks (1912–1924)
- 11 years: File:Colours of Dublin.svg Cooraclare (1945–1956 & 1986–1997) & File:Colours of Laois.svg St. Senan's, Kilkee (1992–2003)
- 10 years: File:Maroon Gold GAA Flag.png St. Joseph's, Miltown Malbay (1906–1916)
See also
[edit | edit source]- All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship
- Munster Senior Club Football Championship
- Clare Intermediate Football Championship
- Clare Junior A Football Championship
- Clare Premier Junior B Football Championship
- Clare Junior B Football Championship
- Clare Under-21 A Football Championship
- Clare Minor A Football Championship
- Cusack Cup (Clare Football League Div.1)
- Garry Cup (Clare Football League Div.2)
References
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