It’s a big weekend of cup action on the Clare soccer front, with both semi-finals in the race for the Junior Cup down for decision at the County Grounds in Doora on Sunday. The U-19 final will take place at the same venue on Saturday.Mountshannon Celtic and Corofin Harps meet in the first semi-final, which kicks-off at 1pm on Sunday morning, with Terry Kennedy as referee. Premier outfit Mountshannon, currently in third spot on the table, will start as favourites against Corofin Harps, who are leading the first division.There would appear to be little between the teams but having played in the premier this season, Mountshannon’s experience should see them through to the final.The all-premier clash of holders Newmarket and Lifford A will kick-off at 3pm, with Newmarket carrying the favourites’ tag. Martin O’Brien will take charge of this one. Following their impressive win over Avenue last time out, Newmarket followers will keep their fingers crossed that the favourites can …

Newmarket  0-21 Crusheen 0-13 IN the absence of Colin Ryan, Newmarket handed the free-taking duties to Liam Clancy for this Clare Champion Cup Division 1A tie against Crusheen at Newmarket on Monday. The young forward duly justified the management team’s decision with a tally of 0-13, a dozen of which came from placed balls.

  Ruan  3-14 St Joseph’s  1-13 RUAN had their first win of the Clare Champion Cup Division 1B campaign when they accounted for St Joseph’s at Ruan on Monday. Chasing their fourth successive win, St Joseph’s fielded five of the U-21 side that had lost the previous evening’s semi-final replay to Clarecastle and certainly the exertions of two games reduced their impact. Playing against the stiff breeze, St Joseph’s had a great start when Rory O’Connor finished to the net after hard work by the Duggans, Leo and Alan. Ruan responded with 0-3 from play by Caimin Howard, Jonathan Clohessy and full-forward Aidan Lynch. Donal O’Halloran and Lynch exchanged points and St Joseph’s led  after 15 minutes by 1-5 to 0-4 thanks to points from Alan Duggan and 0-3 from Ivor Whyte. St Joseph’s were struggling at midfield and Ruan were level when Brendan Lyons scored a fine goal and followed by a point from Killian Ryan. Whyte added 0-2 …

  Lissycasey  1-7 Ennistymon  0-8 CENTRE-back, Cathal Doohan, and substitute, Conor Finnucane, played key roles as Lisycasey extended their unbeaten run in this season’s Cusack Cup when they defeated Ennistymon by two points at Lissycasey on Saturday evening. A strong wind blew directly down the pitch towards the dressing room end and players also had to contend with a heavy drizzle throughout. Ennistymon had first use of the wind and they raced into a 0-5 to 0-0 lead with scores from Brian Conway (free), Joe Dowling (two frees and one from play) and Willie Murphy before Barry Lynch, making his Cusack Cup debut, opened the home side’s account against a side trained by his father, Colin.The game’s crucial score came shortly before Michael Talty sounded the half-time whistle. Francis Hayes found fellow county senior panellist Niall Kelly down the left wing and his pass put David Considine through for the game’s only goal.The visitors finished the half with a brace …

O’Curry’s  2-9 Cratloe  1-11 FULL-back Ollie Quinlan proved to be O’Curry’s hero in this Division 2 League game played at Clareabbey on Saturday evening.

  Clarecast;e/Ballyea  1-10 Éire Óg  2-3 CLARECASTLE/Ballyea qualified for the final of the Intermediate Camogie League with a four-point victory over neighbours Éire Óg on Friday last in Éire Óg. It was a hard fought win, with the result in question right to the final whistle. With wet and windy conditions to contend with, both teams deserve credit for producing a fine contest.Four pointed frees and one from play gave the winners a five-point lead with 10 minutes played. A pointed free from Gráinne Nolan sparked life into Éire Óg and they drew level within five minutes with a second point from Nolan, along with an Orla Devitt goal.The Ennis side looked set to take the lead as Nolan outran the opposition. However, she was dispossessed and it was the amalgamated side who switched play to the other end and took the lead with a goal.The second half was a repeat of the first, with Clarecastle/Ballyea off the blocks quickly, …

  Kilmaley  5-13 Sixmilebridge  1-10 IN glorious conditions at Clarecastle, county champions Kilmaley took on Sixmilebridge in the first of the Division 1 Camogie League semi-finals on Bank Holiday Monday. Sixmilebridge played with the aid of the breeze in the opening half but Kilmaley were first to score from play with a point from Ailish Considine. They followed with a well-taken goal from Lauren McGuane, before Naomi Carroll opened the scoring for the ’Bridge with a point. Both teams exchanged points from play and Kilmaley’s Claire McMahon added another from a free.The ’Bridge received a boost when Naomi Carroll’s shot hit the net and they followed with points from Chloe Morey before Kilmaley responded with a well-taken point from outfield from Aida Griffey. Points were exchanged again before the sides went to the break on level terms at Kilmaley 2-5, Sixmilebridge 1-8.On the resumption, both teams exchanged early points from play, Kilmaley’s scores coming from Claire McMahon and Lauren McGuane, …

  Feakle/Broadford  4-9 Corofin  0-6 FEAKLE/Broadford claimed the Division 3 League title on Monday evening in Hennessy Park, Clooney after a physical encounter with Corofin. However, the scoreline doesn’t do justice to the battle put up by the North Clare side.Feakle/Broadford settled quickly and with Caroline Fortune-Moloney grabbing their first goal within the opening five minutes, this set the tone for the amalgamated side.Fortune-Moloney added her second goal on the 10-minute mark. The Feakle/Broadford backs were dominant throughout and a good clearance from Siobhán Tuohy saw Vera Loughnane register her first score in the 14th minute. Loughnane added a goal and two points to her first-half tally before Corofin registered their first score after 25 minutes, a point from Aoibheann Malone. Moloney finished the scoring for the first half with a converted free to leave the half-time score at 3-3 to 0-2.The second half continued in the same vein and while Corofin had their scoring opportunities, they were continually denied …