Sports

Clare SFC Semi-Final Preview: St Joseph’s Miltown v Doonbeg A traditional West Clare derby lies in store in Cusack Park as the holders Miltown go in search of back to back final appearances against a Doonbeg side that were last there in 2013. Both these were forced to come through tough battles in their last eight ties, but the circumstances could not have been any different. That dramatic finish in extra-time saw the Magpies raid for two late goals to see off the challenge of Eire Óg while Miltown got the better of a stubborn but wasteful Lissycasey to book their semi-final berth. The champions have been doing what they have to up to now but with the finishing line in sight they will know that they simply have to find another gear if their title defence is to continue. There is no doubt but there are a few more gears for David O’Brien’s charges to hit and with the …

Clare IFC Semi Final Preview: St Breckan’s v St Joseph’s Doora Barefield This promises to be an intriguing tie as two of the favourites from the outset of the championship do battle for a place in the decider. While both sides have been putting in consistent performances in their run to the last four, it could also be argued that both have plenty improvement left to come. St Joseph’s were held to a battling draw against Kildysart in the opening round but have been well clear of their opponents in all their ties since that game. St Breckan’s are yet to put a foot wrong as they forged a comfortable path through the group stages before easing past O’Curry’s last time out. There is no doubt but that this will be the biggest test that either side have faced so far. The Parish are on a crest of a wave as they chase an intermediate hurling and football double with …

Clare IFC Semi-Final Preview: Shannon Gaels v Kildysart The derby element only adds to what promises to be an enthralling clash as the neighbours cross swords at this stage for the second year running. It was Kildysart who held the whip hand when they met 12 months ago before narrowly losing out to Kilrush in the decider. Shannon Gaels have come back to this stage once more with a perfect record after three wins on the bounce. They withstood a late fightback from Kilkee to take victory in the opening round before easing past O’Curry’s to seal top spot in their group. It was a much different affair in another derby showdown with Coolmeen in the last eight where a battling second-half performance saw them through. Kildysart shared the spoils with Doora Barefield on their first day out before a comfortable win over Naomh Eoin. They were equally comfortable winners over Kilfenora in their quarter-final tie as they ran out …

Feakle-Killanena and St Josephs go to battle on Sunday afternoon to lay claim to the Intermediate Championship and lift the Fr Liam Murray Cup. There’s also the carrot of playing Senior Club camogie in 2020. On paper Feakle-Killanena would-be odds-on favourites to take the title. They cruised to victory in their group games where the narrowest margin of victory was five points, and that came against their opposition in Sunday’s decider. Manager Ger Conway admits they are pleased to be in that position. “At the start of the year it was our aim to reach the final and it’s great to have gotten there. The girls have put in a great effort and everything has gone according to plan so far in that we have won all our games relatively comfortably. We have had tough battles in there too even though the score lines may not have suggested it at times” he noted. These sides have already met in the …

It has been a decade to remember for all involved in Banner GAA circles with outstanding progression on and off the field. Their facilities on the Shanaway Road are almost second to none, with that drive for improvement transferring to on –field success. Shane Meehan’s explosion onto the national stage has catapulted the club to new heights with the dual star recognised as one of the best hurlers at minor level in the country this year. The club will hope for further progression on Sunday as they make their bid for the Clare Junior A football title. It is only two years since the Junior B crown was annexed and the steady climb through the ranks has seen them emerge as real title contenders. They took the scalp of another North Clare side in the semi-final with victory over Ballyvaughan, while they have already bested Sunday’s opponents when they met in the group stages. Manager John Burke feels it will …

Michael Cusacks make their bid for the Clare Junior A football title for the second year running this weekend when they face the Banner in the decider. It was also Ennis based opposition for the North Clare men 12 months ago as they lost out to Eire Óg by 2-14 to 2-6. They are back in the final once more after a solid championship campaign, in which their only defeat came against Sunday’s opponents when they met in the group stages. They edged past Lissycasey in the last eight before coming through a tough battle with Clooney-Quin to reach the final. Manager Pat Davoren admits there is a buzz building around the club as another county final approaches. “There is an excitement around the place over the last few days and the young lads are out putting up the bunting so that is great to see. It is great to be back in this situation again especially after last year’s …

We are now down to the last two standing in the race for the Canon Hamilton trophy and everyone is counting down already to what should be an enthralling county final. In the overall context of the championship, it is fair to say that two best teams are going to cross swords and it promises to be an epic clash between Sixmilebridge and Cratloe. Before we talk about the games, we have to talk about the standard of refereeing over the weekend. Some of it was very good, but most of it was very poor. Niall Malone was impressive in the Cratloe v Crusheen game, albeit it was an easy game to do because it was over as a contest early in the second half. I liked the way he let the game flow and I liked how he communicated with his officials and the players. In contrast to that, I felt Chris Maguire was poor in the intermediate semi …

Legendary two-time All Ireland winner Brian Lohan has confirmed to The Clare Champion that he is in the running to be named as the next Clare senior hurling manager. The Wolfe Tones clubman said he made the decision to allow his name to go forward for the position after he was contacted by chairman of Clare GAA Joe Cooney. Lohan, who won four All Star awards during his time in the saffron and blue, is currently working on putting his backroom team together and details of this are expected be outlined to delegates at the October meeting of Clare GAA. He previously managed UL to Fitzgibbon Cup success and managed a number of the current Clare senior panel during their time with the college. Mr Cooney confirmed on Wednesday that there are currently three candidates being considered for the position, with outgoing joint manager Donal Moloney also in the running. The chairman said he would not be disclosing the identity …