Sports

ON Thursday morning, Donal Tuohy announced he would be stepping down from the Clare senior hurling panel for the rest of the 2021 season. Tuohy, who has been on the Clare panel since the autumn of 2009, cited increased work commitments and a number of recent injuries, which made it difficult to maintain a consistent effort in training. While he has not been first choice goalkeeper over the last year, he had many memorable days with Clare, including the 2018 run to the All Ireland semi final, in which Clare were pipped by Galway. One of his most notable performances was in the 2009 All Ireland under 21 final against Kilkenny, when he made a last minute wonder save preventing a certain Richie Hogan goal, something that sealed the victory and saw the title come to Clare for the first time ever. In a statement on the Crusheen GAA facebook page, Tuohy said, “I would like to take this opportunity …

KILMALEY made a successful defence of their Clare Cup title on home soil on Saturday evening when holding off neighbours Ballyea by 1-20 to 1-15, reports Eoin Brennan. Daire Keane’s trademark surge and finish to the net in the ninth minute would be a decisive score in catapulting Kilmaley into the ascendancy at 1-3 to 0-3. And with all of Kilmaley’s front six getting on the scoreboard from play in the opening period, they would ease into an 1-11 to 0-08 interval advantage. Newcomers Ballyea were far from full strength but could rely on the scoring prowess of Niall Deasy who finish with all but five points of his side’s total. Indeed, having fallen eight behind entering the final ten minutes, the former county senior rallied with 1-3, but eventually had to concede second best to a more balanced home side. Other teams to make home advantage count on the opening weekend were Clonlara and Feakle. Senior B holders Clonlara …

National Football League Division 2 Semi-Final Mayo 2-22 Clare 2-18 SO near and yet so far for Clare after a second-half recovery wasn’t sufficient to prevent Mayo from returning to Division 1 at the first attempt in Cusack Park this afternoon, reports Eoin Brennan. Ultimately, it will go down as a missed opportunity for Colm Collins’ side to bridge a two decade gap to Clare’s last appearance in the top flight after a rousing revival just fell short. After an encouraging start in which Eoin Cleary (2), Gavin Cooney, Cathal O’Connor and David Tubridy edged the Banner 0-5 to 0-3 in front by the ninth minute, Clare rather lost their way for the remainder of the half. Indeed, for the final 25 minutes of the opening period, Mayo were allowed to swiftly move through the gears to outgun their hosts by 2-10 to 0-03 for the remainder and soar 11 points clear by the break. Goals from Cillian O’Connor (Penalty) …

National Football League Division 2 Semi-Final (Extra-Time if Necessary) Clare v Mayo at Cusack Park Ennis, Sunday 1.45pm (Niall Cullen, Fermanagh) It’s 19 years since Clare were dining at the top table of the National League. That’s a statistic worth soaking in ahead of this veritable winner-takes-all showdown for a coveted place in Division 1 for 2022. Of course, with James Horan’s side off the back of an All-Ireland Final appearance as recently as December, a Clare victory won’t be expected or predicted but in truth, they won’t get a better opportunity to bridge that two decade gap and reclaim their place in the top tier. There have been close calls in recent years, no more so than last year when the Banner’s league status flitted between Divisions 1, 2 and 3 in a dramatic finale against Armagh. However, this time around, there’s no dependency on other teams or results, it’s a clearcut clash for the carrot of a place …

National Hurling League Division 1 Group B Round 5 Clare 4-20 Kilkenny 1-25 CLARE completed their National League campaign on a high in Cusack Park this afternoon after holding off a defiant Kilkenny to secure a third successive victory, reports Eoin Brennan. Having faded in a similar test of endurance a month previously against Wexford, this time the home side proved the stronger coming down the final straight. Having hit Kilkenny for four goals, the sides were still level by the 68th minute. However, following a monster Tony Kelly free, substitutes Gary Cooney (2) and Ryan Taylor ensured the Clare finished with the last four points to deservedly prevail over the previously unbeaten Cats. It was an intense yet very open and compelling end-to-end wrestle for supremacy that was live on nine occasions and saw the lead change hands three times alone in the final quarter. Injuries to defensive duo Aaron Fitzgerald and the returning David McInerney were the only …

Clare v Dublin St Brendan’s Park Birr, Saturday 5pm (John Dermody, Westmeath) Following contrasting derby performances against Galway and Limerick, Clare’s focus must now be solely results-based as they look to consolidate their Division 1 status. On the brink of a Division 1 Final appearance 12 months previously, their current flirtation with relegation is an unwanted position that could yet be a blessing in disguise for Clare if they can meet the challenge head on and make a return to winning ways. There is the safety net of another chance for the loser against Waterford but it still should be seen as winner-takes-all for Ger O’Connell’s side who will view Dublin as their best chance of alleviating any demotion danger. After all, Clare easily brushed aside the challenge of Dublin in their last competitive victory by 1-18 to 1-07 back in October for a place in the All-Ireland Senior Championship Quarter-Finals, their first since 2014. However, with a new management …

National Hurling League Division 1 Group B Round 5 Clare v Kilkenny at Cusack Park Ennis, Saturday 3pm (Johnny Murphy, Limerick) Put simply, Clare will relish having a real cut at Leinster champions Kilkenny in Cusack Park this Saturday. It’s not solely because it’s the perfect gauge of their development so far either as the Banner also hold an enviable record against Brian Cody’s side that no other county can currently match. Clare are unbeaten in five matches against Kilkenny in as many seasons, starting with that rousing nine point Division 1 Semi-Final victory in 2016 on their way to bridging a 38 year gap to the county’s last National League crown. A sixth positive result would provide the perfect lead-in to the start of the Munster Championship against Waterford a fortnight later in terms of belief and confidence, something that Kilkenny currently possess in abundance having powered to four straight victories thus far. The thing is that Clare have …

After the soothing return of club action last Monday with the commencement of the adult football leagues, it’s all systems go this weekend as all eight divisions of the hurling equivalents get underway. With a guaranteed five match schedule based on last year’s fixtures, there isn’t any scope for knock-out stages this year as instead the table toppers in each division will be crowned champions. There is no promotion or relegation either as it’s essentially a preparatory competition for the championship later in the summer when the stark reality of double demotion will come into force. Clare Cup (Division 1A League) Clonlara v Inagh-Kilnamona, at Clonlara, Saturday, 6.30pm (J Hickey) Two sides that underperformed in 2020 and require a big season to get them back on track. Injuries didn’t help Clonlara’s cause albeit that they did end up with Senior B honours whereas Inagh-Kilnamona bowed out all too meekly at the last eight stage. Consequently, it makes for an interesting …