Can Longford crack Clare in the Tailteann Cup clash in Ennis?
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Tier 2 Senior Football Championship Round 2B
On the basis that Clare are apparently on the slide after reaching the ultimate high of a place in the All-Ireland SF quarter-final in 2022, Longford will be quietly confident of springing a surprise in the Tailteann Cup clash at Cusack Park in Ennis on Saturday, throw-in 5pm.
A number of new faces are currently in action for Clare and after narrowly avoiding the threat of relegation in Division 3 of the National Football League this season, finishing in sixth position, there could be some hope for Longford in the last chance department.
Having said that, the Banner boys just missed out on promotion to Division 2 on the scores difference regulation the previous year after finishing their campaign on the same number of points (10) in the deadlock with Kildare and Offaly.
Prior to that unlucky outcome, Clare were operating in Division 2 and the experience of playing at a higher level will probably prove to be a vital factor in the battle for survival in the Tier 2 championship.
The season will be over for the losers and while the odds are stacked against Longford, the spirited display in running Fermanagh close in the opening round offers some sort of encouragement.
Powerful midfielder Brian McNamara is the ace in the Clare pack.
McNamara fired over three points in the disappointing defeat against Offaly who caused a mild upset to win the Tailteann Cup Round 1 game at Cusack Park.
Clare managed just one win at home in the league this season against Laois but on the evidence of their fairly respectable 2-19 to 1-14 defeat against Kerry in the Munster Championship, they are rated the hot favourites to beat Longford.