Darragh Clifford: 'Cork seniors brought me on - now I'm bringing it back to Éire Óg'
Éire Óg midfielder Darragh Clifford. Picture: Chani Anderson
Éire Óg midfielder Darragh Clifford says the group has embraced both the break in fixtures and the straight route to the last four as they prepare for Saturday’s Muskerry derby against Cill na Martra in the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC semi-final in Coachford (3pm).
Clifford, who captained the Cork U20s this season before being drafted into the senior panel, has been central to Éire Óg’s push back to the same stage they reached last year — when Cill na Martra edged them out.
“It’s a great opportunity,” he said.
“We have really enjoyed getting down to Éire Óg two or three times a week working on our plans. Getting the straight bye to the semi-final makes a big difference.
"Going from hurling and football every second week to having a couple of weeks off definitely makes a huge difference. Getting back to the drawing board, improving our game — it’s a huge benefit.
“I welcome a few weeks off. It’s important to stay sharp, and there are so many good players down in Éire Óg. We can test each other every week — that’s our way of staying sharp and staying fit.”
Clifford credits the impact of the new management team of manager Eoin Fehily and coach Carthach Keane.
“That’s what you set out to do at the start of the year — get to the semi-final, take one game at a time, and we won our three group games.
“We have a different game plan for every game, but so far Eoin Fehily and Carthach Keane have gotten it right, and whatever they ask of us, we’re happy to do.
"The morale in Éire Óg is high. Fellas are delighted to be going down training. It’s a big boost.”
Last year’s semi-final loss to Cill na Martra still lingers, but Clifford says the group have parked it properly.
“We finished well enough in the game, but it was the first half that probably cost us. We wrapped up last year, took learnings, and we’re in the semi-final again this year.
“If you spoke to me seven years ago coming home to Ireland, I would have bitten the hand off you for a semi-final place. Now we need to take that next step.
“2025 didn’t end as we’d have liked, but we have another opportunity this year to right the wrongs. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Clifford’s own season has been a steep upward curve — from leading the Cork U20s to stepping into the senior environment.
“It’s been a great year, moving from strength to strength. I took an awful lot of learnings from being captain of the Cork U20s, and I really enjoyed my time in with the seniors this season. It was definitely a step up, but the lads couldn’t have been more welcoming.
"I welcomed the challenge — I was so up for it, and I’m really grateful for the opportunity.”
He also speaks warmly about playing alongside his fellow clubman Colm O’Callaghan with Cork, whose influence has helped him settle.
“Colm has been great. Even getting to pick up little snippets of information is a huge boost. Colm is a legend, and I really enjoyed playing next to him with Cork and now with Éire Óg.”
Éire Óg v Cill na Martra, Coachford, 3pm.
Carbery Rangers v Kanturk, Macroom, 4pm.
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