CLARE’S 2015 FOOTBALL prospects have been boosted by three new additions to their ranks.
Clare boss Colm Collins confirmed to TheScore.ie that hurler Liam Markham, former Dublin footballer Pat Burke and ex-Meath player Michael Ahern are coming on board.
On the back of the Collins brothers Podge and Sean committing solely to the football squad, and Cathal McInerney moving from the hurlers, Markham has become the latest Banner hurler to join the football squad.
Markham previously played for the Clare senior footballers in 2009 and was part of the 2013 All-Ireland hurling winning senior squad. He recently captained the Cratloe hurlers to win the Clare SHC title and was part of the club’s county SFC triumphant side as well.
Meanwhile former Dublin footballer Pat Burke has also joined up. Burke has played championship for Dublin while he won an AIB All-Ireland club title with Kilmacud Crokes in 2009.
Ex-Meath player Michael Ahern previously played in goal for the Royals in the 2008 championship while he plays outfield for his club Dunshaughlin. Both Burke and Ahern qualify for Clare under the parentage rule which has also seen Kildare’s Niall Browne and Dublin’s Shane McGrath play for the Banner in recent years.
“Pat’s father and mother are from Quilty and Lahinch in Clare,” outlined manager Collins.”His father is a former Clare player. Then both Michael’s parents are also both from Clare. Michael plays outfield for his club and will be outfield for us if it works out.”
