Ikem Ugweru nets stunning goal to record first ever Championship score

David Clifford may have dominated the headlines, but for Clare fans, Ikem Ugweru was very nearly the star of the show.

The Éire Óg star was making only his sixth Championship appearance for the Banner in Sunday's Munster Championship final loss to Kerry at Cusack Park and had fans dreaming of an unlikely win when his stunning solo goal left just five points between the sides with seven minutes to play.

Picking the ball up well outside the 45-metre line, the half-back drove at the Kerry defence, threw a couple of lovely dummies and finished with a gorgeous drop-kick to raise the roof in Ennis with his first ever score in the Championship.

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It wasn't to be for Clare however as Kerry powered for home to eventually win 0-23 to 1-13.

A former underage rugby star, Ugweru focused on the oval ball for years before committing fully to Gaelic football. He made history with his league debut in 2021 when he became the first black male to represent Clare at senior level. He's much more of a regular fixture in the side now and wants to be a role model for young black people looking to get involved in the GAA.

He said previously: “That kind of sunk in when I did it in 2021 in the Covid year. I was like, ‘wow, I am the first one,’ I take great honour in that - being the first black male to play for Clare.

“I use it as motivation and I want more black people to play for Clare as well, that’s my aim. I don’t want to be the only one, I want my brother and sister to play as well if they are good enough.

“And anyone too - anyone that’s not from Ireland should come and try it out, because it is for everyone. In a way I’m even proving people wrong, so I’ll keep doing that and trying to be the best role model I can.”

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