Sunday July 31

All Ireland SFC Quarter-Final

Kerry v Clare, Croke Park, 4pm

By Cian O'Connell

Gary Brennan has toiled in the Clare jersey for 10 years. That is why so much joy will be attached to this weekend.

Clare make a welcome return to Croke Park action; Brennan is their midfielder, leader, and inspiration.

Last Saturday's Round 4A qualifier success over Roscommon was prompted by a dynamic 40 minutes from Brennan, who guided Clare with trademark assurance at centrefield.

A virus examined Brennan's resolve, but he still made some critical plays when Roscommon threatened a late rally.

To be involved in the latter stages of the Championship is a joy. "We were just delighted to win," Brennan told GAA.ie about the Roscommon triumph.

"I was saying to someone that I'm 10 seasons with Clare, this is the first time we've made this stage of the Championship.

"We knew it was going to be a tough ask regardless of the six day turnaround for Roscommon. It was tough on them, but they had played Division One football year, and they were a kick of the ball away from winning a Connacht Championship.

"We weren't thinking it was going to be easy by any means, we were just delighted to dig out a victory. It wasn't pretty in the second half, but we got there."

For much of Brennan's career it has been about the journey rather than the destination.

Colm Collins' excellent approach has been crucial according to Brennan. "It is just that guys are working hard, they are doing the simple things well. There is a good honest work rate.

"There is a confidence about the group and a belief that we can do things. Hopefully that will continue, we know we have a very tough encounter next weekend."

Kerry clipped a couple of early goals when defeating Clare in the Munster semi-final. Eamonn Fitzmaurice has made three changes from the team that beat Tipperary in the provincial decider. Peter Crowley, David Moran, and James O'Donoghu return to the starting XV.

The Kingdom will bring a vastly experienced and crafty side to the capital, but Clare want to make a statement of their own. "We said when we got knocked out of the Munster Championship that we would like to try to make the last 12," Brennan admits. "We've done that, but these chances don't come around too often."