Clare manager Peter Keane claims his side's slow start was the reason behind their defeat in Round 1 of the All Ireland Senior Football Championship group stage.

The Banner have still yet to break their duck in the reformed format, with Down leaving Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg with a 3-27 to 1-16 win yesterday.

The result puts Clare on the back foot as they look to progress from the group ahead of a difficult trip to Clones to face Monaghan for their round 2 clash.

Keane says his side never got up to the pitch of the game against their northern opponents.