WATCH: Clark 'a little bit' further away from competitive down returns
Down football manager Conor Laverty has confirmed he is “considering” the option of using former All-Star and current county coach Martin Clarke as the team's goalkeeper.
Laverty said the now 36-year-old forward, who was an All-Star in 2010, has played in several challenge games recently.
“Marty has been training with us all year and has been doing great,” Laverty told BBC Sport Northern Ireland.
“His experience and voice at the time was phenomenal.”
Laverty said John O'Hare has established himself as Down's number one this year following Niall Kane's decision to leave the squad and Charlie Smith pursuing his American football ambitions in recent months. I had a hard time emphasizing that.
“John has had some great performances throughout the league and we're looking at that.” [the Clarke goalkeeper option] That's the limit. John has earned the No. 1 spot and he's held it very well,” Laverty said in Sunday's 3-15 to 1-10 win over Clare in the Morne County Allianz Football League. He spoke after deciding to be promoted to the second division. .
Addison's disease ended Clark's career.
In addition to starring in Down, Clarke enjoyed a hugely successful career in Australian Football Rules, but was forced to retire from football in 2017 due to Addison's disease, which causes extreme fatigue and weight loss. It was done.
But these days he plays as a goalkeeper for his club Anne Lyott, and says he is enjoying training with O'Hare and Kevin Anderson under the watchful eye of Down goalkeeping coach and former Tyrone keeper John Devine. Ta.
Clark told BBC Sport NI: “Am I training with this group? I am training.”
“I do a little bit of coaching in practice and things like that, but in terms of playing that role, I’m pretty far down the pecking order at the moment.
John O'Hare has established himself as Down's goalkeeper this season.
“We have a great goalkeeper in John O’Hare. He didn’t miss a minute for us all year, including at McKenna Cup, and he was very solid for us today. I'm happy for him because he's a great player to start with.'' And most importantly, he's starting to grow into the role.
“Kebby Anderson is there as well, he’s an old mate that I played with when we were down in 2010 and 2011.
“I know Niall Kane has moved, Charlie Smith is in America, there are some other goalkeepers who have decided not to take part this year, so for me at the moment it's a matter of returning to playing. That will probably be quite some time in the future.
“I’m coming in as coach No. 1. God forbid if something happens to the current goalkeeper, I’m behind it.
“I just have to continue to support what’s out there, keep myself healthy and continue to work with goaltending coach John Devine.”
“There are still many permutations of Sam Maguire.”
Down's impressive win over Clare means they will face Westmeath in the Division 3 final at Croke Park next Saturday, with Mourneman spending the summer in the second tier Tyrteen Cup, where they lost. In contrast, they are likely to qualify for this year's Sam Maguire Cup. Last year's final against Meath.
“After last weekend, there was pressure going into this game, but I felt there was a great response from the players,” Laverty said of Sunday's game.
“There are still many permutations of that Sam Maguire. [spot].
“The aim at the beginning of the year was to get out of Division Two and reach a better standard of football and that’s what this Down team wants to play every week.”
Down drew with Westmeath at Mullingar last weekend and Lake County lost at Sligo on Sunday, but Clarke said the Division Three decider would be a “huge game” for Morne County.
“We told the players in the dressing room that the preparations will switch to that right away and the job is not done because the prize of the league title is big this year in terms of having an advantage in terms of Sam.” Maguire competition. ”
