In the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-finals they recorded a surprise win over Kerry before narrowly overcoming Kildare in the semi-finals setting up and All Ireland final meeting with Cork Downs first since 1994. In the end however Down ended up on the losing end of a 0–16 to 0–15 scoreline, Clarke ended the game scoring 0–03.
Down made it to the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-finals and achieved an unexpected victory over Kerry before narrowly overcoming Kildare in the semi-finals. This led to a championship final against Cork, their first since 1994. However, Down ultimately lost, falling short by a score of 0–16 to 0–15, with Clarke scoring 0–03.