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Marty Clarke up at Down. Another All-Ireland return?

General News

Last year it was Sydney Swan Tadgh Kennelly who returned to Ireland and led his county Kerry to the All Ireland GAA Gaelic Football final against Cork – and ultimate victory to win the Sam Maguire Cup.

This year, it remains to be seen if a win can be achieved; however, former Collingwood player Martin Clarke has helped his County Down side to make the All-Ireland final for the first time since 1994.

Last week Clarke was featured in the Belfast Telegraph Martin Clarke goes from Down Under to Down hero in a preview of Sundays cut throat semi-final. Clarke is wrapped tremendously – although, the article falls just short of directly crediting his time at Collingwood and exposure in a professional environment. And of course to balance it, Clarke was a super talent and a natural – so, I guess let’s not overstate the AFL experience either.

Come Monday (no Jimmy Buffett references here!) and Down have prevailed, having downed Kildare Down 1-16 to Kildare 1-14 to qualify for the All Ireland final. 62,182 fans at Croke Park saw Clarke play a key role in a close and hard fought encounter.

Last week Cork 1-15 bobbed up over Dublin 1-14 in another super tight semi final. So, September 19 is locked in for the Cork vs Down All-Ireland final.

I wonder what Dennis Cometti could do with that?